Trump Announces Intent to Declare Strait of Hormuz US Territory

United states: President Donald Trump declared on Friday his intention to designate the Strait of Hormuz as a US territory, as reported by Anadolu Ajansi (AA). He made this announcement during a speech at the Nassau County Police Academy in Garden City, New York, asserting that the strategic waterway is under US control and that no ships pass through without US permission. According to Nam News Network, Trump indicated that the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains effective, and he highlighted the significant impact of the US-Iran conflict on the Iranian leadership. He remarked on the absence of negotiation counterparts in Iran, claiming that the country's leadership has been severely weakened by the ongoing war. Trump addressed the issue of rising gas prices, linking them to the conflict and emphasizing that the marginal increase in petrol costs is justifiable to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities. He criticized Iran as a major state sponsor of terrorism and underscored the importance of preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iranian military officials have refuted the US's claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's central military command labeled these assertions as fabrications and baseless lies. Since the onset of the conflict, the strait has seen reduced traffic, with only 3,371 vessels crossing as of August 12, representing about 20 percent of pre-war volumes, according to data from Kpler and cited by CNN. Diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran saw some progress with a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire in April and a subsequent deal in June, which aimed to facilitate negotiations for a final agreement. However, talks have stalled due to disagreements over security assurances and navigation rights through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy and trade route. Tensions escalated in July when the US and Iran exchanged military strikes. The US targeted sites within Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate by striking US military installations and equipment in several Arab nations, including Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.