Trump vows to claim Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory amid ongoing Iran conflict

President Donald Trump told a crowd of supporters in New York that the United States would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory, saying the move would follow what he described as Iran’s defeat. He added that the U.S. blockade of the waterway was "unstoppable" and a "great service for the world."

The statement comes as the strait, which carries about 20 percent of global oil shipments, remains a focal point of the war that began on Feb. 28 between the United States, Israel and Iran. Iran has restricted traffic through the passage and claims the waterway falls within its territorial waters, while the United States has imposed its own blockade and recently fired on a cargo vessel it accused of heading to Iranian ports.

Negotiations to end hostilities have stalled. A June memorandum of understanding called for Iran to make "best efforts" to ensure safe passage of commercial vessels, but both sides have accused each other of violations, and fighting resumed later that month.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, responded on social media, rejecting Trump’s claim and stating that the strait cannot be seized by a tweet, decree or military threat.

Legal analysts note that proposals to levy tolls on commercial traffic through the strait would likely breach international law, which protects free maritime transit. The remarks were made as Trump campaigned for Republican candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, a contest that could determine congressional control of his administration.