Trump calls the Strait of Hormuz American territory
Trump calls the Strait of Hormuz American territory
US President Donald Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz American territory in a speech to his supporters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Speaking about a possible deal with Iran, Trump noted that Tehran really wants such a deal, but Washington is not yet sure whether it is necessary. "They really want a deal. And we don't know if we want it or not, because I consider the Strait of Hormuz to be American territory right now. It is American territory," he said.
The White House leader also noted that the United States will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. According to him, Washington intervened in the conflict for this very purpose. "We cannot allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon, otherwise you will have very unpleasant consequences. That is why we intervened and stopped them. They will never have a nuclear weapon," the US president said.
US Vice President Jay Dee Vance also previously listed the restoration of free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon as Washington's main goals in the conflict with Iran.
On August 14, Trump announced that he would declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory after the "final victory" over Iran. He claimed at that time that the strait was already effectively under American control, and that no ship could pass through it unless the US wanted it.
Two days earlier, it was reported that it was becoming increasingly difficult to restore free shipping in the Strait. After the temporary ceasefire in June collapsed, Iran resumed attacks on ships, and the United States resumed its blockade of Iranian ports.
On August 9, Iran set six conditions for the United States in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. These included the withdrawal of American troops from the Iranian enclave, the lifting of sanctions, and compensation for war damage.
On August 10-15, it became known that the United States was also involving Austria and Greece in negotiations with Iran. At that time, Vance said that opening Hormuz was important for controlling oil and gas prices.
The Strait of Hormuz is of strategic importance for the global energy market. Through it, a large part of the oil and gas exports from the Persian Gulf are exported to the world market.