Trump: Strait of Hormuz Will Be Declared US Territory, Talks With Iran Remain Deadlocked

As diplomatic efforts to end the war with Iran remain stalled, US President Donald Trump has issued a threat: he will declare the Strait of Hormuz “territory of the United States.”

During a speech at a police academy on Long Island, New York, Trump stressed that the strait would be designated US territory “very soon.” He also claimed that the United States has imposed a blockade and that no ship can pass through the waterway without Washington’s approval.

“After we finish defeating Iran, which is being defeated very badly, I will very soon declare the Strait of Hormuz territory of the United States,” Trump said.

About one-fifth of the oil transported by sea worldwide usually passes through the strait, which ranks among the planet’s most vital maritime corridors. Consequently, any disruption to navigation poses a direct threat to global energy markets.

Trump’s statement comes as negotiations with Iran have stalled. Tehran has not agreed to fully reopen the strait, which has remained almost entirely closed since the start of the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, responded to Trump’s statement on the X platform. He stressed that Iran would not be intimidated by US threats or displays of force. According to him, Iran alone will decide whether the strait is opened or closed.

For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran has not yet made any decision on resuming talks with Washington. He clarified that the messages exchanged through Qatar and Pakistan could not be considered official negotiations.

According to Araqchi, meetings with Oman have focused on establishing a maritime corridor through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran is demanding that the United States meet several preconditions before vessel traffic resumes as normal.