U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States, escalating his rhetoric over the strategic waterway amid the continuing conflict with Iran. Trump made the statement during a political rally in New York state on August 14.
According to Reuters, Trump told supporters that the declaration would come after what he described as the defeat of Iran. He also said the United States currently has a naval blockade in place and that ships would not be allowed through unless U.S. authorities permitted them to do so.
Strait remains at centre of U.S.-Iran tensions
The Strait of Hormuz has become a major point of confrontation between Washington and Tehran. The waterway is a crucial route for international energy shipments, and maritime traffic has fallen sharply as tensions between the two countries have intensified.
Reuters reported that only a small number of commodity vessels crossed the strait recently, compared with normal traffic levels. The United States has said it can maintain its naval blockade indefinitely, while Iran has continued to demand conditions for reopening the waterway.
Recent attacks increase shipping concerns
The latest developments followed attacks involving two oil tankers operated by the United Arab Emirates’ state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. The vessels were attacked by drones while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on August 14. The UAE blamed Iran for the incidents, while no casualties were reported.
The heightened tensions have also affected global oil markets. Reuters reported that Brent crude rose to $88.52 a barrel on August 14, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude reached $82.40. Both benchmarks were on track for weekly gains amid concerns over disrupted supplies.
Trump signals continued pressure on Iran
Trump has also urged Americans to accept higher fuel prices as part of the cost of confronting Iran. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict remain stalled, with Washington continuing economic and military pressure on Tehran.
The future of the Strait of Hormuz remains closely watched because prolonged disruption could affect global energy supplies and shipping. Trump’s latest statement adds another major escalation to the ongoing dispute over control and access to the strategic waterway.
