Former President Donald Trump has declared the Strait of Hormuz a "new U.S. territory," a statement that has prompted a strong negative reaction from Iran. Trump shared an image on his social media platform, Truth Social, depicting the narrow waterway, which connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, with the text "NEW U.S. TERRITORY" overlaid.
This declaration risks escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran over the control of this strategically important shipping route. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical waterways for global oil transport, carrying approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply before recent hostilities began. The U.S. has previously enforced a blockade of the strait, with Trump asserting that vessels passing through do so only with American permission.
Iranian officials have responded forcefully to Trump's statement. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, reposted Trump's image and stated that Tehran would "correct" the former president's "delusions." He asserted that the Strait of Hormuz "has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian" and that its control "will only be closed and opened under Iran's command."
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran's parliament, also commented, stating that the waterway would not reopen until the U.S. fulfilled a series of commitments. These include lifting the blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets, ending the oil embargo, and ceasing military operations. Qalibaf accused the U.S. of failing to uphold commitments previously agreed upon in a memorandum to end hostilities.
Trump made similar remarks during a speech at a Long Island police academy, stating, "After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon, I will be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States. We have control over it. Nobody else. Only us."
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre, a vessel transiting the Strait was hit by an "unknown projectile" on Tuesday, sustaining damage to its engine room. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The Strait of Hormuz is currently under the shared jurisdiction of Oman and Iran. Trump, however, has consistently maintained his intention to claim ownership as part of any peace agreement. The number of vessels passing through the strait has significantly decreased, with only six recorded over a recent weekend compared to approximately 140 oil tankers daily before the recent conflict began. Oil prices have seen a rise of 6 percent this week amid fading hopes for a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran.