Trump labels Strait of Hormuz ‘US territory’ as Iran says Israel is biggest obstacle to negotiations

Trump labels Strait of Hormuz ‘US territory’ as Iran says Israel is biggest obstacle to negotiations Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Tue, 08/18/2026 - 13:21 Tehran says the waterway will remain closed until Washington lifts its blockade and fulfils an interim agreement On 15 August 2026, Iran rejected the US president’s threat to declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory, saying the crucial energy waterway it has blockaded 'will remain Iranian'. (AFP) Off US President Donald Trump has claimed the Strait of Hormuz as American territory as his frustration mounts over a war with Iran that has resisted his demands and dragged global shipping into crisis. Trump posted a map of the strategic waterway on Truth Social on Tuesday bearing the caption “New US Territory”.