Trump threatens to declare strait of Hormuz ‘territory of the United States’

President Donald Trump has threatened to declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory "pretty soon," as his administration struggles to conclude the war with Iran. The declaration would come as peace talks remain at an impasse, with Tehran refusing to reopen the vital waterway, which has been largely closed since the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran in February.

"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 during a speech at a police academy on Long Island, New York. "Essentially, that’s what it is. We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to."

Almost six months into the war, there is little indication that negotiations will yield peace. Iranian officials continue to defy Trump's demands. The U.S. has been blockading Iranian shipping and ports in recent months to exert economic pressure on Tehran. Trump claimed the U.S. has "total control" over the strait, despite it being an internationally navigable waterway bordered by Iran and Oman.

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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. Essentially, that’s what it is. We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to.

Trump also addressed the rise in fuel prices, telling Americans who are paying more for gasoline that they are "doing it so that a very evil country cannot have a – really, it’s the No 1 state sponsor of terror in the world – we don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon." He added, "When you have to pay a little bit more, you’re at $4, it’s OK, I mean, it’s not. I’ll never apologize. I did the right thing."

Tehran has remained steadfast in its demands, stating it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz unless the U.S. "corrects its behavior," "completely compensate[s]" Iran for war damages, lifts sanctions, and "unconditionally" releases frozen assets.

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When you have to pay a little bit more, you’re at $4, it’s OK, I mean, it’s not. I’ll never apologize. I did the right thing.