Trump says he will soon declare Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump has said that he will soon announce that the Strait of Hormuz will be declared a U.S. territory.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said the United States was preparing to impose severe economic pressure on Iran in an effort to force Tehran to end the war.

He reiterated that he would soon declare the strategic waterway U.S. territory. 

Trump’s remarks could further escalate tensions over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes.

Shipping traffic through the waterway has already fallen sharply amid the ongoing confrontation between the United States and Iran. 

Earlier, as negotiations between Washington and Tehran to end the nearly six-month conflict faced difficulties, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would introduce measures against Iran “never before seen.”

He indicated that the new economic measures were expected to be announced as early as next week. 

The latest developments come as U.S.-Iran negotiations remain stalled, while Washington continues to increase economic pressure and maintain a naval blockade around Iran.