US President Donald Trump has made a striking claim about the future of the Strait of Hormuz, saying he could soon declare the strategically important waterway part of US territory.
Speaking at a political rally at a police academy in New York state on Friday, Trump said the move would come after what he described as the United States defeating Iran.
“After we finish defeating Iran,” Trump said, adding that he would “pretty soon” declare the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States. He then emphasized that his statement was serious.
The comments come amid an escalating confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran. According to the original report, the conflict began on February 28, with the US and Israel citing concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and hopes of triggering political change inside the country.
Iran has responded by asserting de facto control over large sections of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes. The waterway is crucial for international energy supplies and the movement of major commodities, meaning any prolonged disruption could have consequences far beyond the region.
The United States and Iran remain locked in a tense standoff over access through the strait. Iran has restricted the passage of much civilian shipping, while the US Navy has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports as part of efforts to place further economic pressure on Tehran.
Trump also told supporters that the United States currently controls whether ships are allowed to pass through the area, saying that no vessels would get through unless the US wanted them to.
For businesses, governments and ordinary people around the world, developments around the Strait of Hormuz matter because disruptions to this critical shipping route can quickly affect energy markets, transportation costs, global trade and consumer prices.
Trump’s latest comments are therefore likely to attract international attention, particularly because any attempt to change the political or territorial status of the Strait of Hormuz would have major geopolitical implications.
As tensions continue, the world will be watching closely to see whether Trump’s statement becomes an actual policy proposal or remains a provocative political declaration made during a rally.
Source: AFP
