In a bold statement from New York on Friday, US President Donald Trump indicated potential plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory, citing ongoing tensions with Iran. Trump suggested that the US might soon formalize this declaration following a victory over Iran, asserting that the US already has significant control over the crucial maritime passage through a blockade. The Strait of Hormuz is critical for global oil transit, with around 20% of the world’s seaborne oil supply passing through it, and the waterway has been largely inaccessible since military operations by the US and Israel against Iran commenced.
Trump’s comments have yet to clarify whether this signifies a shift in official US policy or merely serves as a political maneuver. The ambiguity of the statement has left many speculating about the implications. In response, Iran has dismissed the threat, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi declaring that US pressure would not deter Tehran. He emphasized that decisions regarding the strait’s status rest solely with Iran.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi noted that Tehran has not engaged in formal negotiations with Washington, despite messages being relayed through intermediaries such as Qatar and Pakistan. He underscored that these communications do not equate to formal dialogue. Iran maintains that certain conditions must be met before it considers reopening the strait to shipping, including demands for compensation for war-related damages, the lifting of sanctions, and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
The ongoing impasse over the Strait of Hormuz has heightened concerns about the stability of global energy supplies, with the disruption contributing to rising fuel prices. Trump defended the elevated costs, arguing that the financial burden on Americans is a necessary measure to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The situation continues to exert pressure on consumers and has sparked broader worries about the potential economic repercussions worldwide.