Trump Calls Strait of Hormuz American Territory

Published: 22 August 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

US President Donald Trump has described the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz as “an American territory”, escalating an already tense confrontation with Iran as Washington maintains a military blockade of Iranian shipping and attempts to exert greater economic and strategic pressure on Tehran.

Trump made the remarks on Friday during a political rally in South Carolina, where he was campaigning for Darline Graham, who is seeking to fill the Senate seat previously held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham. His comments added a new and highly controversial dimension to the US administration’s position on one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.

“We don’t even know if we won, because I view the Strait of Hormuz as an American territory right now,” Trump told the crowd.

The statement came as the United States continues military operations connected to its confrontation with Iran and seeks to restrict the movement of commercial vessels through the waterway. Trump has increasingly spoken of the Strait of Hormuz in terms of US control, arguing that the American blockade has effectively placed the route under Washington’s authority.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage between Iran and Oman and is one of the most strategically important waterways in the global economy. A significant share of the world’s seaborne oil supply normally passes through the strait, making any disruption there capable of affecting energy prices, shipping costs and international markets.

The latest comments from Trump have therefore attracted attention far beyond the immediate US-Iran conflict. Any attempt to permanently claim control over the waterway would carry major international and legal implications because the strait is not sovereign US territory and serves as an international maritime route.

Trump has previously raised the possibility of formally declaring the waterway US territory. Last week, he suggested that the United States could take such a step, arguing that American forces were already controlling passage through the area because of the blockade.

“We control it with the blockade, and I like the idea of declaring it a territory,” Trump said earlier.

He later reinforced the idea by posting an image on social media showing a map that labelled the Strait of Hormuz as a “new U.S. territory”. The move immediately drew attention because of the waterway’s importance to Iran, neighbouring states and the international energy market.

Iran has rejected Trump’s claims. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi dismissed the US president’s remarks as “delusions”, reflecting Tehran’s refusal to recognise any American claim over the strait.

The dispute comes as the conflict between Washington and Tehran approaches its six-month mark without a peace agreement. The Trump administration has sought to intensify economic pressure on Iran by restricting access to the maritime route that plays a central role in the country’s oil exports.

The blockade has already affected commercial shipping. According to the US Central Command, American forces had redirected 68 commercial vessels by Friday to comply with the blockade. The development has raised concerns among shipping companies and traders about the risks associated with operating in or around the waterway.

For Iran, the Strait of Hormuz is particularly important because of its geographical position. Much of the country’s energy trade depends on access to the Persian Gulf and the wider maritime network beyond it. Any sustained restriction could therefore have serious consequences for Iranian revenues and the country’s ability to maintain international trade.

For the global economy, the stakes are also considerable. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supply normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Disruption to that flow could put upward pressure on energy prices and increase costs for businesses and consumers in countries far removed from the Middle East.

The waterway’s importance also means that its security has traditionally been a matter of international concern. Ships carrying energy supplies from the Gulf pass through the strait while travelling between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Any prolonged military confrontation could affect not only Iran and the United States but also major energy-importing economies in Asia, Europe and elsewhere.

Trump’s latest comments were accompanied by remarks that further highlighted the seriousness of the confrontation. During the South Carolina rally, he joked about carrying out additional bombing against Iran.

“It’s a Friday night. We have plenty of time,” Trump said before reciting “The Snake”, a poem he has frequently used during political appearances. He then asked rhetorically what he would have to do to “bomb Iran a little bit more”.

The comments came at a particularly sensitive moment, with Washington attempting to pressure Tehran while simultaneously keeping military operations active. The absence of a peace agreement means the possibility of further escalation remains a major concern.

The administration’s strategy appears to combine military pressure with economic restrictions. By attempting to control maritime movement and limit Iran’s access to international shipping, Washington is seeking to increase the cost of continuing the conflict for Tehran.

However, such a strategy also carries risks for the United States. Military control of a major international waterway requires sustained naval resources and could expose American forces to further confrontation. It could also increase tensions with countries that depend on the strait for energy shipments and commercial trade.

There is also a broader question over how other countries would respond if Washington attempted to treat the strait as US territory. The waterway borders Iran and Oman, and neither country’s sovereignty over its surrounding waters would disappear simply because the United States imposed a blockade.

The situation could consequently become a major test of international maritime norms. A move perceived as an attempt by one country to claim control over a globally significant shipping route could trigger diplomatic opposition and intensify criticism of Washington’s approach to the conflict.

For businesses and international markets, uncertainty is already becoming a concern. Shipping companies must consider whether vessels can safely navigate the region, while energy traders must assess the possibility of prolonged disruption to oil supplies. Even limited interruptions can have effects on prices when markets are already sensitive to geopolitical developments.

The economic consequences could extend beyond oil. Higher energy costs can influence transportation, manufacturing, food production and household expenses. Countries heavily dependent on imported energy could face particular pressure if the crisis continues.

Iran, meanwhile, has shown no indication that it accepts the American characterisation of the waterway. Tehran’s dismissal of Trump’s comments suggests that the dispute over the strait is likely to remain part of the wider confrontation between the two countries.

Trump’s statement also demonstrates how the Strait of Hormuz has moved from being primarily a strategic maritime issue to becoming a central symbol of the broader US-Iran conflict. For Washington, control of the waterway represents leverage over Iran’s economy. For Tehran, any attempt by the United States to claim authority over the route represents a challenge to Iranian sovereignty and regional influence.

The coming weeks could therefore prove crucial. If the blockade continues, pressure on Iran’s economy and shipping sector is likely to grow. At the same time, the longer American forces remain involved in controlling the waterway, the greater the possibility of confrontation involving commercial vessels, regional actors or Iranian forces.

Trump’s declaration that he now views the Strait of Hormuz as “an American territory” has consequently raised the stakes in an already dangerous conflict. What began as a dispute over Iran’s economy and military capabilities is increasingly becoming a confrontation over control of a maritime route essential to global energy security.

For millions of people far from the Persian Gulf, the consequences may ultimately be felt not through the political rhetoric of Washington or Tehran, but through the price of fuel, transportation and everyday goods. The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz means that developments there can quickly become a global economic concern.