Trump Vows to Claim Strait of Hormuz as “US Territory” Once Iran Is “Defeated”

President Donald Trump told a rally at the Nassau County Police Academy in New York on Friday that he will “pretty soon” declare the Strait of Hormuz a “territory of the United States” once the US finishes “defeating” Iran, which he said is “being very badly defeated.” He described the ongoing US naval blockade of the waterway as “a wall of steel.” The remarks came months into renewed US-Israeli military action against Iran, which resumed after a June 17 ceasefire memorandum collapsed following an offensive that began February 28 [1].

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected the claim on social media, saying “The Strait of Hormuz cannot be taken over by a tweet, nor by an aircraft carrier… Iran is neither afraid of threats nor intimidated by a show of force.” The strait, over which both Iran and Oman hold jurisdiction and which normally carries roughly 20 percent of global oil supply, has seen restricted traffic since Iran began limiting passage in response to the blockade; legal experts note that charging tolls, an idea floated by both sides, would violate international law protecting free commercial transit [1].

Why It Sucks:

Democrats

• Called it a fantasy, not a policy. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) mocked the pledge — “Awesome! And the Easter Bunny is real” — dismissing it as unserious theater rather than real strategy [2].
• See it as reckless, unchecked war-making. Progressive critics like commentator Kyle Kulinski have called Trump “a completely unhinged lunatic” and “a sadistic violent menace to the world” over the expanding Iran campaign [2].
• Say the war is raising costs for nothing. Rep. Adam Schiff argues the administration “went from a bad U.S.-Iran deal to more strikes, another blockade, and added turmoil that will only drive prices higher,” with no resolution in sight [4].

Republicans

• Even allies balk at the toll idea. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) broke with the plan to charge ships for passage, saying “I think they’re international waters, and there shouldn’t be a toll put on ships by anyone” [3].
• Others want it, just dressed differently. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) argued a “security fee” tied to protection from military strikes is distinct from a toll, while Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) framed the push as a way to lower prices and boost oil flow [3].
• Most are waiting for details that don’t exist yet. Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) said he’d “reserve judgment,” reflecting a caucus that publicly backs Trump’s resolve against Iran while privately unsure what the territorial claim means in practice [3].

Iran’s Government

• Dismisses the claim as impossible bluster. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the strait “cannot be taken over by a tweet, nor by an aircraft carrier,” casting the declaration as bravado rather than a real threat [1].
• Frames it as an illegal seizure of sovereign waters. Legal experts note Iran and Oman hold jurisdiction over the strait, and that any US claim of territorial control — or attempt to impose tolls — would violate international law protecting free maritime transit [1].
• Vows to keep resisting regardless. Gharibabadi said Iran is “neither afraid of threats nor intimidated by a show of force,” signaling Tehran plans to keep restricting passage rather than yield to US pressure [1].

Sources & Citations:

[1] Al Jazeera: Trump says he will declare Strait of Hormuz a US “territory”
[2] Common Dreams: ‘Menace to the World’: With Iran Talks Stalled, Trump Vows to Declare Strait of Hormuz a US Territory
[3] E&E News (POLITICO): Republicans question Trump’s Hormuz plan
[4] TIME: Republican and Democrat Lawmakers Criticize Trump Over Resumption of Iran War