Trump Threatens to Declare Strait of Hormuz US Territory

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said that the United States could declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory after defeating Iran.

According to The Guardian, Trump made the remarks on Friday while addressing a police academy on Long Island, New York, saying that the United States would soon announce that the Strait of Hormuz would be considered US territory.

Trump claimed that the United States currently has complete control over the Strait of Hormuz and has established a blockade, preventing ships from passing through the waterway without US permission.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes, with nearly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supplies normally passing through the waterway.

The Guardian reported that it remains unclear whether Trump’s remarks signal any formal US policy or practical action, or were simply a political statement.

Trump’s comments came as negotiations between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the conflict remain stalled. Iran has refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. According to the report, the waterway has remained almost closed since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran in February.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded to Trump’s remarks, saying Iran would not be intimidated by US threats or displays of power. He said the decision to open or close the Strait of Hormuz would be made by Iran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said that Tehran had not decided to resume negotiations with Washington. He said the exchange of messages through Qatar and Pakistan did not constitute negotiations.

Araghchi said separate talks with Oman were focused on determining maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz. He added that the United States would have to meet Iran’s conditions before commercial shipping through the waterway could resume.

According to the report, Trump has previously claimed US control over the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier this week, he said the United States had complete control of the waterway and indicated that Washington intended to maintain that control.

The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman and serves as a major international maritime route. Iran maintains that the waterway will not be reopened until the United States changes its conduct, compensates Iran for war-related damage, lifts sanctions and unconditionally releases frozen Iranian assets.