Trump: Could Claim Hormuz as US Territory Behind Blockade

President Donald Trump said Friday that the naval blockade on Iranian ports is going so well, he could soon claim the Strait of Hormuz as a U.S. territory.

He told Americans that higher gasoline prices are a small price to pay to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Speaking at the Nassau County Police Academy in Garden City, New York, Trump made the comments while discussing his administration's efforts to lower prices before turning to the conflict with Iran.

His comments aired live on Newsmax and the free Newsmax2 streaming platform.

"After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States," Trump said. "Essentially, that's what we have."

He added that the reason is "the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to."

Trump had made a similar claim Wednesday, writing on Truth Social that the U.S. had "total control" of Hormuz, adding, "I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!"

 

Iran has rejected Trump's assertions, maintaining that the strategic waterway remains under Tehran's control.

The strait, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world's most important energy corridors.

Tensions there remained high Friday after the United Arab Emirates accused Iran of attacking two vessels operated by state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, or ADNOC, as they transited the waterway. No injuries were reported.

Trump said Friday that military action against Iran had disrupted what had been progress in bringing down prices at home.

"We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon," Trump said, recalling telling members of his administration that America had to "make a little journey to the Middle East because we have to put out a potential disaster."

Trump then directly addressed Americans paying higher prices at the pump.

"For you to pay a tiny little bit more for your gasoline, just remember you're doing it so that a very evil country cannot have" a nuclear weapon, Trump said, calling Iran "the No. 1 state sponsor of terror in the world."

He added, "So remember that when you have to pay a little bit more, you're at $4. It's OK. I mean, I'll never apologize. I did the right thing."

Trump said the military campaign was "a great service for the world, not only for ourselves."

He noted that "the blockade is unstoppable. The blockade is a wall of steel."