Trump: Strait of Hormuz Will Be US Territory ‘Soon’ After Iran Defeated

Trump made the remarks at a police academy on Long Island, New York, on Friday, saying he would designate the waterway—a narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman—as US territory after Iran is defeated [219349]. The announcement comes as the deadline for a final US-Iran agreement has passed with no deal in place, while attacks on civilian ships continue in the region [219183]. Iran shut down the strait in response to recent US and Israeli strikes, disrupting energy markets and sending fuel costs upward [219247].

The US and Israel launched “major combat operations” against Iran on Feb. 28, marking a significant escalation, though officials did not immediately provide details on targets or damage [218128]. The Treasury Secretary has vowed to impose economic measures on Iran that have “never been seen before,” though no specific new tools or sanctions were detailed [218545].

Meanwhile, a top adviser to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a rare interview that Iranian officials have observed “how the American military is weaker than what we perceived” since the attack began, though he did not provide specific examples or data to support the claim [217570].

The US Navy has relocated its logistics hub to Diego Garcia, a tiny island 2,200 miles from the Gulf of Oman, after Iranian strikes damaged a key American base in Bahrain. The move means longer supply lines and slower turnaround times for ships, creating logistical strain for the fleet [219160].

Trump did not provide a timeline for the planned annexation or detail how the US would enforce control over the waterway [219247]. Analysts warn that prolonged disruption could push gasoline prices higher for American consumers [219247].