Trump says he will declare Hormuz Strait U.S. territory after defeating Iran

President Donald Trump declared his intention to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy transit route, and claim it as U.S. territory. Speaking at a political rally in New York, Trump asserted that after defeating Iran, which he claimed was facing a "heavy defeat," he would soon declare the strait as belonging to the United States. He added, "This is true."

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After we finish defeating Iran, which is facing a heavy defeat, I will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory.

However, The Wall Street Journal later reported that an unnamed White House official suggested Trump was joking. Trump has repeatedly claimed that the strait is under U.S. control, a stance rejected by Iranian authorities.

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This is true.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, responded to Trump on social media platform X, emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz has always been Iranian, is currently Iranian, and will remain Iranian. "The strait will only be closed and opened by Iran's order," he stated.

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The strait will only be closed and opened by Iran's order.