Trump says will declare Hormuz Strait US territory 'soon' after Iran defeat
United States President Donald Trump has said he will "soon" declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory, claiming that Iran is being "very badly defeated" in the ongoing war. Speaking at a political rally at a police academy in New York state on Friday (August 14, 2026), Mr. Trump told a cheering crowd that the vital waterway would come under U.S. control once military operations against Iran conclude.
"After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated — pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States," Mr. Trump said, adding, "It's true."
The statement comes amid a prolonged conflict that began on February 28, 2026, when the U.S., together with Israel, launched a war against Iran. The stated objectives were to end Iran's controversial nuclear programme and encourage a popular uprising. However, the conflict has not unfolded as initially anticipated, with Iran establishing de facto control over large parts of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passageway for a significant portion of global energy supplies and other commodity shipping.
The strait has become a focal point of the stalemate between Washington and Tehran. Iranian forces have restricted access for civilian shipping, while the U.S. Navy has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in an effort to cripple the country's economy. Mr. Trump defended the blockade during the rally, asserting, "We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to."
Mr. Trump's pledge to declare the strait U.S. territory raises significant legal and diplomatic questions. The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway, and any unilateral declaration of sovereignty would likely face widespread opposition from the international community. However, the President did not elaborate on the legal basis or timeline for such a move, leaving many details unclear.
The war, now in its sixth month, has drawn international concern over the humanitarian impact and the potential for broader regional instability. Neither side has publicly indicated readiness for negotiations, and the situation on the ground remains tense. Mr. Trump's latest remarks are likely to further complicate an already fraught geopolitical landscape, as global maritime trade continues to be disrupted by the standoff.
