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Middle EastPublished: 16 August 2026 at 15:02

Trump threatens to turn Strait of Hormuz into US territory

US President Donald Trump has issued a new and unexpected threat toward Iran, stating his intent to claim the Strait of Hormuz as US territory, as the war between the two countries remains without a resolution in sight.

US President Donald Trump has made another surprising statement directed at Iran, this time threatening to turn the strategically important Strait of Hormuz into United States territory. It is described as yet another outlandish claim from Trump amid the tense standoff with Iran.

The threat comes as the war between the US and Iran continues with no end currently visible. The regional situation remains volatile, and this latest statement adds further uncertainty about how the conflict might develop in the near term.

Unanswered questions

Trump's threat raises questions about its practical and legal feasibility. It remains unclear how the United States could actually assert control over international waters that are traditionally not claimed as sovereign territory by any single nation.

This is not the first time the US president has made unexpected or contentious statements regarding Iran since the conflict began. However, this latest threat stands out because it touches not only on bilateral relations but also on the broader framework of international maritime traffic and trade in a region where the Strait of Hormuz is widely regarded as a critical passage point.

It is not yet clear whether the statement is part of a wider pressure strategy against Iran or whether it will remain purely rhetorical without further action. The situation is being closely watched both regionally and internationally, since any concrete steps in this direction could significantly affect the balance of power and security in the wider Persian Gulf area.

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