Anna Hartz
Large amounts of oil and gas pass through the narrow waterway every day, making any threat to close or control it a major concern for global energy markets.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important shipping routes in the world.
US President Donald Trump said Friday that he plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz “US territory” after what he called a defeat of Iran, according to El Economista. His comments come as talks between Washington and Tehran remain stalled and a ceasefire agreement is approaching its deadline.
“Defeating Iran”
Speaking at a political rally on Long Island, New York, Trump said the United States already has a blockade in place and that no ship would be allowed through unless the US permits it. He also said Iran was being defeated and that he would soon declare the waterway effectively American territory.
The comments came just days before the end of a 60-day period agreed by the United States and Iran. The period began with a memorandum signed on June 17 that called for an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts while negotiations continued toward ending the conflict.
Trump had already suggested earlier in the week that the United States could keep control of the Strait of Hormuz. He argued that American military strikes since February had severely damaged Iran’s military capabilities. Iranian officials have rejected that claim.
US control
On Wednesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the United States had total control of the waterway and said he believed Washington would keep it. He added that Iran could do nothing about the situation.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that Washington planned to impose economic isolation on Iran and continue the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also said the blockade could remain in place indefinitely.
Iran has taken a very different position. Mohsen Rezai, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the waterway would not reopen until the United States ended the war and naval blockade against Iran. He also demanded the release of frozen Iranian assets and a ceasefire covering Lebanon and Gaza.
The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman and carries a large share of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Any prolonged disruption could have serious effects on energy supplies and prices worldwide.
