Trump Says He Will Declare Strait of Hormuz US Territory After Defeating Iran

President Donald Trump stated Friday that after defeating Iran he will declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory, escalating Iran tensions as a monthlong ceasefire with Iran nears expiration and Iran maintains control over much of the vital waterway. [1] Trump made the remarks during a political rally in New York state, chuckling as he told supporters the US would claim the strait after finishing defeating Iran, which he described as being badly defeated. [2]

Trump Announces Plan to Claim Strait of Hormuz

Trump said Friday that after finishing defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon he would be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States. [1] He spoke with a chuckle during a political rally at a police academy in New York state and added that it is true. [2] Trump framed the US naval blockade of Iranian ports as an unstoppable wall of steel that serves as a great service for the world. [3] He told the cheering crowd that no ships get through unless the US wants them to. [2] The remarks came just before a monthlong ceasefire between the US and Iran is set to expire on Monday. [1]

Ongoing War and Blockade Context

The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28 with the stated aims of ending the country’s controversial nuclear program and sparking a popular uprising. [2] Iran struck back by establishing de facto control over much of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passageway for large amounts of global energy and other commodity shipping. [2] Iran responded by restricting ship traffic through the strait, driving up global fuel prices, while the US imposed its own naval blockade on Iranian ports. [1] The strait formerly served as an artery for roughly 20 percent of the global oil supply before the war. [3] Just this week the US fired on a cargo vessel it accused of attempting to reach Iranian ports. [3]

Ceasefire Expiration and Negotiations

In June the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to bring a stop to military operations, but one term required Iran to make its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels. [3] Both sides later claimed violations of the memorandum, and fighting resumed by the end of the month. [3] The current monthlong ceasefire expires Monday with no extension mentioned and Iran yet to agree to a deal. [1] A senior White House official told Politico that the situation is static and that what matters is if Iran wants to come to the table and agree to a deal. [1] The Associated Press reported Friday that the Trump administration appears to be reaching out to a broader swath of countries that might be able to help pressure Tehran. [1]

Iran's Defiant Response

Iranian officials including Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected Trump’s claim, stating the strait cannot be taken by tweet, aircraft carrier, decree or speech, and that Iran is not afraid of threats. [3] Gharibabadi wrote on social media that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be taken over by a tweet, nor by an aircraft carrier, nor by issuing a decree, nor by an election speech. [3] Iran has continued to target commercial vessels in the strait, claiming that part of the strait falls within its territorial waters and therefore remains under its control. [3] Both Iran and the US have floated the idea of imposing tolls on commercial traffic in the strait, though legal experts say such tolls would be illegal under international law. [3]

Economic Impact and Domestic Criticism

Trump acknowledged higher US gasoline prices around $4 per gallon but said they are a small price to prevent Iran, called the top state sponsor of terror, from obtaining a nuclear weapon. [1] He told supporters that when they have to pay a little bit more they are doing it so that a very evil country cannot have a nuclear weapon. [1] Critics called his statements jingoistic and unhinged, with Representative Ted Lieu quipping that the Easter Bunny is real and progressive commentator Kyle Kulinski declaring that Trump needs to be impeached, removed, and locked up. [1] Ryan Costello of the National Iranian American Council said the jingoism rings hollow when most US bases near the strait have been essentially abandoned due to danger from Iranian missiles and drones. [1]

Broader Trump Foreign Policy Moves

In addition to launching a war on Iran in February, Trump has invaded Venezuela in January to abduct its president and made threats against various other nations during his second term, including Canada, Cuba, Colombia, Greenland, and Mexico. [1] He has also threatened to seize the Panama Canal and killed hundreds of people by blowing up boats allegedly smuggling drugs. [1] Trump was in New York to support Republican candidates for the 2026 midterm elections, a pivotal moment for his administration. [3] A Quinnipiac University poll from late July found that 60 percent of US voters oppose US military action against Iran. [3]

What to watch next: The monthlong ceasefire expires Monday with no extension mentioned, while the US continues outreach to other countries to pressure Tehran and both sides remain locked in uneasy negotiations over control of the strait. [1]