Trump Declares Strait of Hormuz New American Territory Amid Military Actions

US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday via a post on the social media platform Truth that the Strait of Hormuz is now American territory. Responding to reporters in the White House Oval Office the previous evening, Trump expressed strong support for the declaration, stating, "I think it's a great idea. We control it through the blockade, and I like the idea of declaring it our territory." He highlighted the effectiveness of the US naval blockade, noting that millions of barrels of oil are being exported weekly, the strait remains open, and oil prices are falling as a result. Trump added that prices will continue to decline unless the US takes more drastic measures.

Regarding negotiations with Iran, Trump claimed Tehran wants a deal but not one he considers acceptable, emphasizing that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons. He referenced past US military capabilities, including B-2 bombers, to assert that Iran would need significant time to develop a nuclear bomb. When asked about extending a memorandum of understanding, Trump declined to comment.

In related developments, Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Dr. Majid Al-Ansari stated that mediators are awaiting bilateral agreement between Oman and Iran on the Strait of Hormuz before resuming broader US-Iran talks. He noted that such an agreement would greatly facilitate the renewal of negotiations.