Diplomatic Desk:
Amid the Iran-US conflict that has been going on for almost six months, US President Donald Trump has warned of more severe economic pressure on Tehran. At the same time, he said that the strategically important waterway in the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz, will soon be declared as US ‘territory’.
On Friday (August 14, 2026), Trump said at a political rally held at the Nassau County Police Academy in Garden City, New York, “When the job of defeating Iran is done, which is being defeated very badly right now—very soon I will declare the Strait of Hormuz as a territory of the United States.”
Earlier in the day, in an interview with Fox News, Trump claimed that the US has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, no ship will be allowed to pass through that waterway without US permission.
Trump also said that economic pressure on Iran will be increased. Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said that unprecedented new economic measures could be taken against Tehran.
A huge amount of oil and gas is transported through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transportation routes. The ongoing conflict and security situation have greatly reduced shipping traffic in this waterway, which is also affecting the global energy market.
However, Washington and Tehran have conflicting claims over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has also been demanding its own control over the strait and has rejected US demands for control.
Trump’s latest statement has raised fears of further escalation in Iran-US tensions. At the same time, the continued military and economic pressure surrounding the Strait of Hormuz has raised new concerns about global energy supplies and international trade.
