President Donald Trump reignited global debate on Friday by repeatedly describing the Strait of Hormuz as “American territory,” a claim that has drawn sharp rebukes from Iran and raised alarms among international observers about escalation risks in the critical oil shipping lane.
Speaking at a campaign-style rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, supporting a Senate candidate, Trump stated: “I view the Strait of Hormuz as an American territory right now. It’s an American territory.” He linked the assertion to the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian shipping and ports, which Central Command reported has redirected dozens of commercial vessels.
Trump questioned whether the United States even wanted a deal with Tehran, saying Iran “would love to make a deal, but they’re not ready to make the right deal,” while reiterating that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon.
The remarks follow earlier statements and a social media post featuring a map labeling the waterway a “new U.S. territory.”
The Strait, which normally carries about one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies, has seen disrupted traffic since the conflict intensified earlier this year. Maritime data indicated many vessels were using Iranian-designated corridors or going “dark,” complicating tracking.
Iranian officials dismissed the claims as “delusions.” Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Trump’s assertions would be “corrected” either by events or by Iran, while other Tehran voices warned of a return to “classic colonialism” and vowed a devastating response to further pressure.
The conflict, now approaching the six-month mark after earlier exchanges of fire, has already strained oil markets and prompted discussions of additional U.S. sanctions.
Critics in the U.S. and abroad question the legal and strategic basis for claiming sovereignty over an international waterway between Iran and Oman. Supporters of the administration argue the blockade demonstrates effective control and protects global energy flows. As negotiations remain stalled and both sides trade warnings, the rhetoric has heightened fears of broader regional conflict, with commercial shipping and energy prices under close watch.
The statement underscores the high stakes of the prolonged confrontation, leaving diplomats and markets navigating an increasingly unpredictable situation.
