US President Donald Trump announced plans to change the status of the Strait of Hormuz in remarks about Iran. Trump said he would declare the strait US territory after Iran was completely defeated.
Speaking at an event held Friday at the Nassau Police Academy in New York, Trump claimed that the US Navy was enforcing a “total blockade” in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said, “After we completely defeat Iran, I will declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory very soon.”
Trump said no ship that Washington had not authorized to pass would be allowed through the Strait of Hormuz. He also reiterated that the United States would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.
Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran banned ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz after US and Israeli attacks on the country on February 28.
As tensions escalated, Iran targeted ships attempting to pass without authorization with missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Violent clashes took place around the strait between Iran and the United States, and several oil tankers were damaged.