U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited tensions with Iran after declaring that he now views the Strait of Hormuz as American territory, making one of his strongest claims yet over the strategic waterway.
Speaking at a campaign rally in South Carolina, Trump said the United States currently has control over the strait and suggested that ships cannot pass without American approval. He also repeated his warning that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
The comments come amid an intense standoff between Washington and Tehran, with U.S. forces maintaining pressure around the vital shipping route.
Iran has rejected Washington’s claims of control, with Iranian officials dismissing the statements as baseless and insisting that the Strait of Hormuz remains under regional sovereignty.
The waterway is critical to the global economy, carrying a significant share of the world’s seaborne oil supplies. Traffic has fallen dramatically during the confrontation, raising concerns over energy markets and international shipping.
Trump’s latest remarks add another layer to the dispute as negotiations remain stalled.
With both sides refusing to back down, the future of the Strait of Hormuz—and the risk of a wider confrontation—remain major international concerns.
