Trump Claims He Will Declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. Territory After Defeating Iran
Trump stated in a speech: "After we defeat Iran, we will declare the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory."
He claimed that Iran is being severely defeated and emphasized that the U.S. has achieved substantial control over the strait through a blockade.
This statement was made at a rally in Long Island, New York, alongside further remarks on economic pressure against Iran.
The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister quickly responded, stating that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized through tweets, aircraft carriers, or speeches, and that Iran will not be intimidated.
About 20% of global oil and LNG transportation typically passes through this strait, and related tensions have pushed oil prices higher.
From a market perspective, geopolitical rhetoric drives energy price fluctuations, with funds flowing into safe-haven assets and energy stocks. The U.S. and its allies benefit from controlling the narrative, while Iran and exporters reliant on the strait face pressure from transportation and sanction risks.
Source: Public Information
ABAB AI Insight
Trump has previously emphasized "control" over the Strait of Hormuz, including blockading Iranian ports and suggesting tolls; this time, he escalated the rhetoric to "declare it U.S. territory," continuing his negotiation style of applying pressure through strong statements.
In terms of capital pathways, publicly linking military action with energy routes focuses resources on economic blockades and public opinion, aiming to strengthen U.S. pricing and passage dominance in key waterways.
Similar cases can be seen in historical great power declarations over strait control, as well as Trump's similar statements regarding other strategic locations during his first term; the current U.S.-Iran conflict is in a high-pressure phase before a ceasefire deadline.
Structural judgment indicates regulatory changes: the legal status of international waterways is challenged by unilateral declarations, with the mechanism being to support sovereignty claims through military presence and economic blockades, thereby reconstructing energy transportation rules.
ABAB News · Cognitive Law
Strategic waterway declarations often precede actual control
Energy chokepoints are the ultimate bargaining chips in geopolitical games
Rhetorical escalation can quickly drive market volatility