Trump declares Strait of Hormuz US territory at South Carolina rally
Speaking in South Carolina, Donald Trump claimed the Strait of Hormuz as United States territory, as naval forces enforce a blockade that has redirected 68 ships.
Campaign remarks in South Carolina
Speaking at a Friday evening campaign event in South Carolina, President Donald Trump stated that he considers the Strait of Hormuz to be United States territory. The rally was organized in support of Republican Senator Darline Graham, who is running to permanently secure the Senate seat previously held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham. Addressing the crowd, Trump linked the waterway directly to the broader conflict with Tehran and questioned the outcome of the military campaign.
We don't even know if we won, because, at this point, I consider the Strait of Hormuz to be American territory.
Later in the evening, Trump recited "The Snake," a poem he frequently incorporates into campaign speeches to illustrate his immigration platform. He then referenced ongoing military strikes against Iranian targets with direct questions to the audience.
What the hell do I have to do? Go back and bomb Iran some more?
Maritime blockade and shipping enforcement
The administration has deployed naval forces to block Iranian shipping and commercial port access, seeking to cut off the country's oil exports. The Strait of Hormuz, bordered by Iran and Oman, typically accommodates approximately one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil transit. United States Central Command published data on social media indicating that American naval forces had intercepted and redirected 68 commercial vessels by Friday to ensure compliance with the maritime restrictions.
- Trump asserts the naval blockade gives the US control over all passing ships
- Trump tells reporters he favors declaring the Strait of Hormuz a US territory
- Centcom reports 68 ships redirected as Trump repeats territory claims in South Carolina
Escalating claims over the waterway
The remarks in South Carolina followed a sequence of similar statements made by Trump throughout the preceding week. During a speech at a police academy in New York, he argued that military control of shipping lanes effectively established American ownership over the passage.
Essentially, that's what it is. We have the blockade. No ship passes unless we want it to.
When questioned by reporters on Monday regarding the proposal, Trump confirmed his interest in declaring the strait an official territory. He subsequently posted an image on Truth Social showing a map with the waterway labeled as new United States territory. At campaign events in New York for Republican congressional and gubernatorial candidates, Trump asserted that an official declaration would be made after concluding operations against Iran.
Diplomatic impasse and Iranian response
The territorial declarations come as the conflict between the United States and Iran nears the six-month mark without a ceasefire or peace settlement. Negotiations between the two sides have failed to produce an agreement, leaving military operations and trade restrictions in effect. Government officials in Tehran rejected the statements from Washington. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded to the remarks, characterizing Trump's claim over the international strait as illusions.
