Trump says he will declare Strait of Hormuz a US ‘territory’ amid Iran war

What the report says

US President Donald Trump said in a speech in New York on Friday that he plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. “territory,” escalating his rhetoric as the war with Iran continues. Al Jazeera reported that Trump framed the move as part of the fight against Iran and said the United States would soon claim the waterway, which is central to global shipments of oil, gas and fertiliser.

The outlet said control of the strait is a major dispute in ceasefire talks between Washington and Tehran. Since the war began after U.S. and Israeli strikes in late February, Iran has restricted traffic through the narrow passage, while the United States has also imposed a blockade and recently fired on a cargo vessel it said was trying to reach Iranian ports. The June memorandum of understanding between the two sides included language about safe passage for commercial shipping, but both governments later accused each other of violating it.

Iran rejected Trump’s remarks. Deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on social media that the strait could not be taken over by a speech, decree or military show of force. Al Jazeera also noted that both sides have discussed tolls on shipping, though legal experts say such fees would conflict with international maritime law. The dispute matters because the strait is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints and any disruption can affect global trade and prices.