Amid ongoing tensions with Iran, US President Donald Trump has issued a provocative statement suggesting the possibility of declaring the Strait of Hormuz as “a territory of the United States.” This comes as Washington continues to grapple with the challenge of reaching a resolution with Iran to end the current conflict. Speaking in New York on Friday, Trump indicated that the US might make this declaration “pretty soon” following a defeat of Iran, and asserted that the US effectively controls this vital maritime passage through a blockade.
Strategically significant, the Strait of Hormuz is a critical conduit for global oil shipments, with approximately 20% of the world’s seaborne oil transiting through it. Situated between Iran and Oman, the waterway has faced substantial disruptions since the commencement of US and Israeli military activities against Iran. Whether Trump’s remarks signify an official shift in US policy or serve merely as a rhetorical stance remains uncertain.
Iran has dismissed Trump’s threat, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stating that Tehran will not be coerced by US pressure, maintaining that the prerogative to open or close the strait resides with Iran. Additionally, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi remarked that Tehran has not yet decided to re-engage in negotiations with Washington, noting that the current messages exchanged via Qatar and Pakistan do not amount to formal talks.
Tehran has stipulated several prerequisites for the resumption of shipping through the strait, including compensation for damages incurred during the conflict, the lifting of sanctions, and the release of Iranian assets that have been frozen. The ongoing conflict and resulting disruption to maritime traffic have contributed to rising fuel prices, placing additional strain on consumers. President Trump has defended these increased costs, asserting that Americans are shouldering them to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
The prolonged impasse over the Strait of Hormuz continues to provoke concerns regarding the stability of global energy supplies and the broader economic repercussions of the conflict.