US President Donald Trump has threatened to declare the Strait of Hormuz as United States territory, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate over the strategically important waterway.

Speaking at a rally in New York on Friday, Trump said the move could come after what he described as the defeat of Iran. His remarks drew a strong reaction from the crowd.

“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.

The statement represents a dramatic escalation in rhetoric surrounding one of the world's most important shipping routes.

Why Strait of Hormuz Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. At its narrowest point, the waterway lies between Iranian and Omani territorial waters.

The strait is a critical route for global energy supplies, with a significant share of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through it.

Any prolonged disruption could affect international shipping, energy markets and crude oil prices.

Iran Claims Key Position

Iran has repeatedly emphasized its strategic position around the waterway. Amid the ongoing confrontation with the United States and Israel, Tehran has sought greater control over shipping movements through the strait.

There have also been reports of demands that some vessels obtain permission and travel closer to the Iranian coastline before crossing the waterway.

Iran has previously considered imposing charges on vessels using the route, while the Trump administration has opposed the idea of Iranian-controlled tolls. Trump himself has also discussed the possibility of US-imposed charges.

Trump Comments on USS Abraham Lincoln

Trump also addressed questions about the prolonged deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln in West Asia.

The US aircraft carrier has reportedly been deployed in the region for several months and has played a role in American military operations connected to the conflict with Iran.

Asked whether the deployment had lasted too long, Trump rejected the suggestion.

“Not nearly long enough,” he said at Joint Base Andrews before travelling to New York.

When a reporter raised concerns among family members of US service personnel about conditions aboard the carrier, Trump dismissed those concerns.

Carrier to Be Replaced

Trump said the USS Abraham Lincoln is in the process of being relieved and will be replaced by another similar carrier.

“That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it's being replaced with another very similar ship,” he said.

The comments come as the US military continues to maintain a significant presence in the region amid heightened tensions with Iran.

Potential Global Impact

Trump's comments about declaring the Strait of Hormuz US territory could have major geopolitical implications if translated into policy.

The waterway is not under US sovereignty, and its status is governed by international law and the territorial rights of the countries bordering it. Any attempt to alter its status could trigger a major diplomatic confrontation with Iran and potentially other regional actors.

For global markets, developments around the Strait of Hormuz are closely watched because disruptions to shipping through the waterway can quickly affect energy prices and transportation costs.

The latest remarks therefore add another layer of uncertainty to an already tense situation between Washington and Tehran, with the future of the strategically vital waterway likely to remain a major issue in the coming days.