President Donald Trump has said the United States could take control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz after what he described as the defeat of Iran.
Trump made the remark on Friday during a political rally at a police academy in New York State, where he told supporters that he would soon declare the waterway a US territory.
“After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States,” Trump said, drawing cheers from the audience.
“It’s true,” he added.
The comments came amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and a major route for global energy shipments.
Trump said the United States had effectively imposed a blockade on Iranian ports as part of efforts to pressure Tehran economically.
“We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to,” he told the gathering.
The development follows the outbreak of hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran, with Washington and Tel Aviv saying their military campaign was aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear programme and weakening its ability to threaten regional security.
Iran has retaliated with attacks and increased military activity around the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through the waterway.
The strait is considered one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes, with a substantial share of global oil and gas shipments passing through it.
Trump’s latest comments suggest that Washington may seek a more direct role in controlling access to the waterway as the confrontation with Iran continues.
AFP
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