Trump Declares Plans to Annex Strait of Hormuz as US Territory
US President Donald Trump announced plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory following what he described as Iran's defeat. This move would add a new dimension to the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.
In a statement, Trump said that 'pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States.' He also praised the strength of the US naval blockade around Iran's ports, describing it as 'a wall of steel.'
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. It's a critical route for international oil and gas shipments, with over 20% of global crude exports passing through it.
Iran has consistently rejected Trump's assertions that the US controls the strait. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that 'the Strait of Hormuz could not be taken over through political declarations, military force or public statements.'