Trump declares Strait of Hormuz as de facto U.S. territory during South Carolina rally

President Donald Trump told a rally in South Carolina that he regards the Strait of Hormuz as "American territory," emphasizing the United States' ongoing blockade of Iranian shipping. The remarks came as the Trump administration continues efforts to pressure Iran financially and restrict access to the waterway, which carries about one-fifth of global seaborne oil.

Trump, campaigning for Senate candidate Darline Graham, later suggested the United States could increase bombing of Iran, saying, "What the hell do I have to do? Go back and bomb Iran a little bit more?" He also recited a poem he often uses at campaign events.

U.S. Central Command reported that 68 commercial vessels have been redirected to comply with the blockade. Earlier, Trump had said the United States controls the strait through the blockade and expressed interest in formally declaring it a U.S. territory, a claim he reiterated to reporters.

The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered its sixth month without a negotiated peace deal, and the strait remains a critical conduit for Iranian oil exports, bordered by Iran and Oman.