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Trump Says He Will Declare Strait of Hormuz U.S. Territory
By Aurax Radio | August 15, 2026 | 2 min read
President Donald Trump says he plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory after the United States defeats Iran, escalating his administration’s claims over control of the strategically important waterway. The statement comes as shipping through the strait has fallen sharply amid the U.S.-Iran conflict, raising concerns about global energy supplies and adding another complication to stalled efforts to reach a ceasefire.
President Donald Trump speaks during an event in New York, where he announced plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory following the conflict with Iran.
WASHINGTON — Trump made the announcement Friday during an appearance in New York, saying the United States would soon declare the strait a U.S. territory after what he described as Iran’s defeat. The comments came as the waterway remained effectively closed to much commercial traffic, with Iran asserting control over whether vessels can pass and the United States maintaining a naval blockade. Iranian officials rejected Trump’s claim, saying the strait remains under Iranian control.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world’s most important energy-shipping routes. Before the conflict, roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies moved through the waterway, but vessel traffic has dropped to a fraction of normal levels since the war began. Reuters reported that only a small number of commercial vessels crossed the strait in recent days, while attacks on ships and uncertainty over safe passage have further discouraged shipping. The disruption has contributed to higher oil prices, with Brent crude rising above $88 a barrel on Friday.
Trump’s proposal comes as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remain stalled, with control of the waterway emerging as a central issue in negotiations. Iran has demanded changes to U.S. policy before reopening the strait, while the Trump administration has threatened additional economic pressure and indicated that the naval blockade could continue indefinitely. Any attempt by the United States to formally claim the strait as its territory would represent a major escalation in the dispute over the waterway, which borders Iran and Oman and is subject to international maritime arrangements.
Sources: The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Hill and Reuters, with additional reporting from the Associated Press.
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