During a recent campaign rally in South Carolina, President Donald Trump made a joking remark about the Strait of Hormuz, stating it should be considered American territory. His comments came as the U.S. continues its military blockade of Iranian shipping and ports while discussing peace efforts.
“We don’t even know if we won because, at this moment, I consider the Strait of Hormuz American territory,” Trump said, referencing the ongoing tensions with Iran. This statement was made during an event held to support Senator Lindsey Graham.
In a light-hearted tone, Trump continued, saying, “It’s Friday night. We have plenty of time,” before reciting the poem “The Snake,” often used to emphasize his anti-immigration stance. He added, “What the hell should I do? Turn around and bomb Iran a little more?”
Last week, Trump had similarly declared the strait as U.S. territory, asserting, “Essentially, it is. We have the blockade. No ships pass unless we want them to.” He expressed satisfaction with the blockade, indicating a desire to officially claim the strait, even sharing a map on social media labeling it as “new U.S. territory.”
In response to Trump’s remarks, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, dismissed the comments as “illusions.”
To date, U.S. naval forces have redirected 68 commercial vessels to enforce this blockade, as reported by the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) on social media. The ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran has yet to reach a peace agreement, extending tensions to nearly six months. The Trump administration employs the blockade as a means to halt Iran’s oil exports, according to reports.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for energy transport, with one-fifth of the world’s oil passing through the narrow waterway bordered by Iran and Oman.
