Iran fires back at Trump's threat to declare Hormuz a US territory

Iran vehemently denied President Donald Trump's assertion that the Strait of Hormuz would become a part of US territory, stating that the important energy waterway remains Iranian. Trump has frequently claimed the strait is under US control despite limited shipping. The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated on X that the strait is and will remain under Iranian command, only to be closed and opened by Iran.

Trump made the claim during a rally in New York, joking that he would soon declare the Hormuz Strait a US territory after defeating Iran. However, a White House official later clarified it was a joke. Iran has continued to attack ships in the strait, leading to a collapse of a ceasefire in April. Iran has also demanded the end of sanctions and compensation for wartime damage.

The UAE's oil company ADNOC reported one of its vessels under attack in the strait, blaming Iran and accusing the Revolutionary Guards of piracy. The closure of the strait has increased oil and LNG export prices, creating economic and political pressure on the US, especially as November's midterm elections approach.