Trump vows to declare Strait of Hormuz US territory

At a rally on Long Island on August 14, 2026, President Donald Trump said he would declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory after defeating Iran. The statement escalates a standoff over the strategic waterway, through which a significant share of global oil shipments pass.

Iran has reportedly agreed "on general principles" to restrict US and Israeli vessels from the strait, according to the Iranian Tasnim news agency. Both sides remain firm, and the reopening of the strait is uncertain. Egypt condemned the targeting of two Emirati ships transiting the strait, while Iran said there is no decision on dialogue with Washington and that Hormuz remains under its authority.