Former President Donald Trump announced Friday he will "pretty soon" declare the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States, a move swiftly rejected by Iran. Trump made the statement during a rally in New York, escalating tensions over the critical global waterway. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi immediately countered, stating the strait "has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian" and will only open or close under Tehran's command.[iranintl+3]
Hormuz: A Global Energy Lifeline
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, serves as a crucial chokepoint for global energy supplies. Approximately 20 million barrels of oil, representing about one-fifth of global oil demand, pass through the strait daily.It also handles roughly 20 to 25 percent of the world's total seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas exports annually.Disruptions in this 20-mile-wide (32 kilometers) waterway can significantly impact international energy markets and prices.[windward+3]
Shipping traffic through the strait has faced severe disruptions since a U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began in February 2026. Before the conflict, over 130 vessels traversed the strait daily, but recent data shows traffic has plummeted to as few as two to nine ships per day.The United States has enforced a naval blockade against Iran, which Trump has described as a "wall of steel."[iranintl+5]
Trump's Assertions and Iran's Firm Rebuttal
President Trump's latest remarks follow earlier claims made on Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, where he asserted the U.S. has "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz. "I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, 'A WALL OF STEEL,' and there is nothing Iran can do about it," Trump wrote.He reiterated this on Friday, stating, "After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated – pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States." He added that the blockade ensures "No ships get through unless we want them to."[foxnews+6]
Iranian officials swiftly dismissed Trump's declarations as "lies" and "fabrications." Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi posted on X, stating, "Iran neither fears threats nor cowers before displays of power." He emphasized that the strait "cannot be seized with a tweet, an aircraft carrier, an executive order, or a campaign speech." Gharibabadi also warned that Iran would continue its blockade until Washington accepted its "strategic defeat."[jpost+6]
Hossein Taeb, who leads Iran's Basij paramilitary unit, also asserted Iran's control. "Today you see that the Strait of Hormuz is under the management and control of the Islamic Republic," Taeb said, according to state television. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei denounced the ongoing U.S. blockade as "dishonorable and illegal."[iranintl+4]
Ongoing Conflict and Stalled Diplomacy
The dramatic declarations come amidst an ongoing conflict that began in February 2026 with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Since then, the U.S. has maintained a naval blockade on Iranian shipping and ports. U.S. Central Command reported that as of August 14, its forces had redirected 62 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two others while enforcing the blockade. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated Thursday that the U.S. could sustain this blockade "indefinitely" by rotating ships.[iranintl]
Peace talks aimed at resolving the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz have stalled. An interim agreement in June, which called for an "immediate and permanent termination of military operations," quickly unraveled, with both sides accusing the other of violations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran had not decided to resume talks with the U.S. and that messages exchanged via mediators like Qatar and Pakistan did not constitute negotiations. Araghchi also told Iranian news outlet Shahrara News that the U.S. would need to meet certain conditions for shipping to resume through the waterway. He previously stated that the U.S. has "long miscalculated due to intelligence failures" and is making an "even bigger miscalculation on the Strait of Hormuz."[iranintl+5]
The international community watches closely as these tensions escalate. The Strait of Hormuz's role as a vital conduit for global energy makes any disruption a concern for economies worldwide. The opposing claims of control by the United States and Iran highlight the deep divisions and challenges in achieving stability in the region.[foxnews+1]
Future Implications and Regional Stability
The implications of Trump's vow to claim the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory remain unclear, including how such a declaration would be legally implemented or its practical effects. However, it signals a significant escalation in rhetoric and potential confrontation between Washington and Tehran. The ongoing naval blockade and the sharp reduction in shipping traffic underscore the economic pressure on Iran and the broader impact on global trade.[timesofindia+1]
Iran has consistently maintained its sovereign rights over the waterway, which borders its northern coast. Any attempt to unilaterally declare the strait as U.S. territory would likely be met with strong condemnation and further resistance from Tehran, potentially leading to increased instability in a region already grappling with conflict. The immediate focus remains on whether diplomatic efforts can resume and if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz can return to normal levels, easing global energy supply concerns.[windward+1]
