Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Trump Says He May Declare Strait Of Hormuz US Territory
There is a narrow sea passage called the Strait of Hormuz where ships carry oil and gas to countries all over the world, so many nations care about it.
America's president, Donald Trump, said the United States might soon declare this waterway part of its own territory.
He said he plans to finish defeating Iran first.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said no: the strait has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian.
Trump made his announcement at a rally for Republican candidates in Long Island.
The US and Iran signed a peace agreement on June 17, but it fell apart when Iran tried to take control of the waterway and opened fire on commercial ships.
Trump earlier suggested renaming the strait the 'Strait of America.'
He also said American forces were sent to the region more than he first planned, and that pressure on Iran is needed so Iran does not build a nuclear weapon.
Because the strait carries about one-fifth of the world's traded oil, this argument affects energy prices everywhere.
Trump said he would 'finish defeating' Iran and 'soon' declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected the claim, saying the strait 'has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian.'
Speaking at a rally for Republican candidates on Long Island on Friday, Trump argued continued pressure on Tehran was necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while acknowledging US forces were deployed more extensively than he initially intended.
A preliminary US-Iran peace agreement signed June 17 collapsed after Iran sought to assert control over the waterway and opened fire on commercial vessels; Trump had earlier floated renaming it the 'Strait of America.'
The strait carries roughly one-fifth of the world's traded oil supplies, and the impasse has kept energy prices a major focus of US politics ahead of November's midterm elections.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump; Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi; Iran is the other party in the conflict.
- What
- Trump said the US would 'soon' declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory after defeating Iran, a claim Iran rejected.
- When
- Remarks made Friday; article published August 16, 2026. The preliminary US-Iran peace agreement was signed June 17, and the 'Strait of America' name was floated in March.
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz; the remarks were made at a rally for Republican candidates on Long Island.
- Why
- To reduce Iran's control over a waterway carrying roughly one-fifth of the world's traded oil and to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
U.S. position
Iran's position
Control of the Strait of Hormuz
U.S. position
Trump says the strait is under US control and that the US will 'soon' declare it part of US territory after what he describes as Iran's defeat.
Iran's position
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi says the strait 'has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian,' denying US claims of control.
Military pressure and the peace process
U.S. position
Trump defends continued pressure on Tehran as necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while acknowledging US forces were deployed more extensively than initially intended.
Iran's position
Iran effectively closed the strait at the start of the West Asia war, and the preliminary peace agreement collapsed after Iran sought to assert control over the waterway and opened fire on commercial vessels.
- US President
- Donald Trump
- Proposed action
- Declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory 'soon,' after what Trump describes as Iran's defeat
- Iran's response
- Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi: the strait 'has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian'
- Location of remarks
- Rally for Republican candidates on Long Island, held Friday
- US-Iran peace agreement
- Preliminary agreement signed June 17; collapsed after Iran sought control of the waterway and opened fire on commercial vessels
- Earlier name suggestion
- 'Strait of America,' proposed in March
- Strategic importance
- Carries roughly one-fifth of the world's traded oil supplies
- Political context
- Energy prices a major focus of US politics ahead of November's midterm elections
