Iran Rejects Trump’s Threat to Declare Strait of Hormuz US Territory

Iran has rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that he could declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory, insisting that the strategically vital waterway will remain under Iranian control.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Saturday that the strait “has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian,” adding that its opening and closure would remain under Tehran’s authority.

Trump made the comments at a rally in New York, saying that after defeating Iran, he would declare Hormuz a US territory. A White House official later reportedly said Trump was joking.

Tensions remain high as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran stall. Iran has demanded an end to the war and sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets and compensation for wartime damage before agreeing to reopen the waterway.

Shipping risks have also increased. The UAE’s state-owned oil company ADNOC said one of its vessels was attacked, following other attacks on vessels linked to the company. Iran has also restricted traffic through Hormuz, while its Houthi allies have announced a parallel maritime blockade affecting Saudi ports in the Red Sea.

Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz carried roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG exports. Disruptions have pushed energy prices higher, increasing economic and political pressure on Washington ahead of the US midterm elections.

Iran has indicated that it reached an understanding with Oman on a shipping route through the strait and is working on arrangements to jointly manage the waterway. Meanwhile, Washington has imposed its own blockade of Iranian ports.