Trump Threatens to Annex Strategic Strait Amid Escalating Tensions with Iran
US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions in the Middle East by announcing plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically vital maritime chokepoint, a US territory.
Speaking at an event in Garden City, New York, on August 14, Trump said that after the United States defeats Iran, he would 'pretty soon' declare the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States. He did not provide details about how such a declaration would be implemented or what legal authority would underpin it.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime routes, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serving as a critical route for global energy shipments.
Trump claimed earlier that the US effectively controls the waterway, saying Washington only allows vessels to enter when it wants them to. He described the US blockade as a 'wall of steel' and said it was imposing significant economic pressure on Tehran.
The latest developments have contributed to market uncertainty, with oil prices rising as traders assess the possibility of a prolonged disruption to energy supplies. Reuters reported that September WTI crude settled at $82.40 a barrel, while October Brent was last reported at $88.38.