Trump Vows to Claim Strait of Hormuz as US Territory After Defeating Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory after defeating Iran, which he claims is being defeated with great force. This move would give the U.S. full control over the strategic waterway, through which approximately 20% of global oil exports pass.

Iran has rejected this claim, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stating that the Strait cannot be taken via a tweet or any other means. He emphasized that only Iran can decide whether to open or close the strait.

Trump's remarks came as hostilities between the U.S. and Iran had calmed in recent weeks, but the U.S. navy has reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports in the Hormuz strait. The Trump administration offered no clarity on how it intends to wind down the war.

The dispute over Hormuz is tied to U.S. economic and political stakes, with high gasoline prices remaining an issue in the United States. Democrats are seeking to make the economic fallout from the Iran war an issue heading into the November midterm elections.