Donald Trump stuns world by declaring Strait of Hormuz is 'becoming territory of the US'

Trump also said he has used the military "a little bit more than I wanted to" but argued pressure on Tehran is necessary to prevent the Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon

21:49, 14 Aug 2026Updated 21:57, 14 Aug 2026

[Trump spoke at a police training centre]

Trump spoke at a police training centre(Image: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Peace-loving Donald Trump tonight stunned the world by saying he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz "a territory of the United States." It comes after a war of words with Iran over who actually has control of the major supply route.

Speaking during a visit to a police training centre, the Orange Manbaby said: "After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon Ill be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States."

As police officers cheered and clapped, he added: "Essentially that's what it is. We have the blockade. No ships get through it unless we want them to."

[The Strait of Hormuz is a key shipping route]

The Strait of Hormuz is a key shipping route(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Trump also said he has used the military "a little bit more than I wanted to" but argued pressure on Tehran is necessary to prevent the Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He added: "We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon."

Earlier on Friday, he told Fox News the US in in "firm control" of the waterway and boasted of a "wall of steel" blockade as he warned Iran against further attacks.

He said: "We totally control, we own, in the true sense, we own the Strait of Hormuz. We only allow boats to come in if we want them to come in."

[Vessels are seen in the Strait of Hormuz]

Vessels are seen in the Strait of Hormuz(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The US president claimed said the blockade is costing Tehran "hundreds of millions of dollars every single day" and said sweeping sanctions are also squeezing the regime. He said: "If they hit, we would hit back 100 times harder.

"They cannot have nuclear weapons. Its very simple. We have a blockade that is like a wall of steel. Nobodys ever seen anything like it."

His bizarre rants comes amid an escalating row between the two countries over who is in control of the strait as tensions remain high more than five months since the start of the war. And figures show the number of ships passing was shockingly low.

[The US and Iran have both claimed to have control over the strait in recent days]

The US and Iran have both claimed to have control over the strait in recent days(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

A United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) voluntary reporting area overview noted: "Traffic remains well below normal levels, with AIS-detected transits approximately 90% below pre-conflict baselines and declining since the 24-26 Jun peak."

Canada announced sanctions on Friday against five senior Iranian officials it accused of helping obstruct navigation rights in and around the Strait of Hormuz and undermining international peace and security.

The Canadian government said those targeted were involved in military, legal and communications activities connected to threats against the strategic waterway.

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