Trump Says He Will Soon Declare Strait of Hormuz U.S. Territory

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory, linking the move to the outcome of the conflict with Iran.

Speaking at a rally in Garden City, New York, Trump said the United States was defeating Iran and that he would make an announcement on the strategically important waterway once the conflict was over.

“Pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States,” Trump said, without providing details on how such a declaration would be implemented or what legal basis would underpin it.

The comments, if pursued, would represent a dramatic escalation in U.S. claims over one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Arabian Sea. It is one of the world’s most important routes for energy shipments, carrying a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Any attempt by Washington to assert territorial control over the waterway would have major implications for Iran, Gulf states and international shipping.

The strait lies between Iran and Oman, with its waters governed by a complex combination of international maritime law and the territorial claims of the surrounding states. Its strategic importance has made it a recurring flashpoint between Iran and the United States and their allies.

Trump’s remarks came as tensions between Washington and Tehran remained high, with the president portraying the conflict as one in which Iran had suffered major setbacks.

He did not explain whether the proposed declaration would involve a change in U.S. military control, administration of the waterway or a broader territorial claim.

GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS

Any move to claim the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory could trigger a major diplomatic response and raise questions over freedom of navigation and international maritime law.

For countries in East Africa, the issue could also have economic consequences. Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti and other economies that rely on imported fuel and goods could face higher transport and energy costs if tensions around the strait disrupt global shipping or energy markets.

The Strait of Hormuz is particularly important for countries connected to the Indian Ocean because disruptions to Gulf energy supplies can quickly affect fuel prices and shipping costs across the region.

Trump’s statement therefore has implications well beyond the Middle East, although it remains unclear whether the proposed declaration will be formally pursued or what form it would take.