Trump says he views Strait of Hormuz as American territory
President Donald Trump told a South Carolina rally on Friday that he views the Strait of Hormuz as American territory while the U.S. maintains a naval blockade of Iranian shipping. The claim escalates a six-month conflict over a waterway that normally carries roughly one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil supply.
Key Takeaways
- Trump repeated his view that the Strait of Hormuz is "American territory" at a Myrtle Beach rally on August 21.
- U.S. Central Command says American forces have redirected 68 commercial vessels to comply with the blockade.
- Commercial traffic through the strait remains at about 20% of pre-war levels, according to UKMTO data cited by Al Jazeera.
- Iran dismissed the territory claim as "delusions," while Oman faces U.S. pressure over proposed shipping fees.
- Peace talks between Washington and Tehran have stalled as the conflict nears six months.
Why does the Strait of Hormuz matter to global energy?
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway bordered by Iran and Oman. Before the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran's response, it carried about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, according to The Atlantic.
Iranian and Omani territorial waters meet in the roughly 21-mile-wide choke point. Disruptions there ripple through global fuel markets and the maritime tracking systems that monitor tanker movement worldwide.
What did Trump say about American territory?
At a rally supporting Senator Darline Graham in Myrtle Beach, Trump said: "We don't even know if we won, because I view the strait of Hormuz as an American territory right now." The Guardian reported the comments on Friday.
Trump had previously threatened to declare the strait U.S. territory, telling reporters: "Essentially, that's what it is. We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to." He also posted a map labeling the waterway as a "new U.S. territory."
Later at the rally, Trump joked about further strikes on Iran, asking: "What the hell do I have to do? Go back and bomb Iran a little bit more?"
How has shipping through Hormuz changed since the war?
Research from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations shows daily transits hovering in single digits. Over one recent week, 103 ships entered and 89 departed—about 20% of the pre-war seven-day average, Al Jazeera reported.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Navy helped move more than 15 million barrels through the strait on Tuesday, with a seven-day average above eight million barrels per day—still less than half of pre-war levels. The UN International Maritime Organization counted 68 incidents and 19 seafarer deaths since Iran's blockade began in late February.
What is Oman's role in the territory dispute?
Oman borders the strait opposite Iran and has long served as a U.S. diplomatic intermediary, including during 2015 nuclear talks. The Atlantic reports Trump recently threatened Oman unless it complied with U.S. demands, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted the strait must remain an open waterway.
Omani officials argue that charging passage fees can be lawful under international practice. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has threatened sanctions if Muscat facilitates such fees. For more on how maritime choke points shape energy and security tech, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage.
Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, dismissed Trump's territory rhetoric as "delusions." With negotiations stalled and commercial traffic suppressed, the Hormuz dispute remains a live test of who controls one of the world's most watched shipping corridors.