Trump says he will declare Strait of Hormuz US territory 'pretty soon'

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he intends to declare the Strait of Hormuz as a territory of the United States at some point in the near future. The assertion is based on the president's claim of America's control over the vital waterway through a naval blockade. The remarks were made during a visit to a police academy in Garden City, New York, as ongoing disruptions to shipping through the strait, a crucial route for oil, natural gas, and other commodities, have persisted due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, contributing to high energy prices.

Following the defeat of Iran, Trump stated that he will soon declare the Hormuz Strait as part of the United States. The president emphasized that they have successfully implemented the blockade, restricting shipments to their discretion. However, Trump did not provide further details on his plan to declare the strait a U.S. territory, amid Tehran's efforts to retain control over the waterway, considering it as a significant bargaining chip in its discussions with Washington, particularly in the lead-up to the U.S. midterm elections in November. Trump acknowledged that the U.S. military is utilized to some extent in this context.