Trump announces intention to declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory, escalating tensions with Iran and raising questions about maritime control.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he would declare the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory during a period of ongoing tensions between Iran and the Strait. Trump's announcement ignited a new debate over the control of this strategic waterway.
In a speech in New York, Trump indicated that he would declare the Strait of Hormuz as 'United States territory' following the completion of operations against Iran.
Trump stated, 'After we finish defeating Iran, I will very soon declare the Strait of Hormuz as United States territory.' The U.S. President also mentioned that the maritime blockade in the region continues and that ships would not be allowed to pass without U.S. permission.
Debate over effective control in Hormuz
In addition to the legal and political dimensions of Trump's statement, there are significant operational questions regarding the ability of the U.S. to establish effective control over the Strait of Hormuz.
It is reported that Iran is restructuring its ballistic missile capabilities and continuing drone attacks against commercial tankers in the southern part of the strait. According to reports from the United Arab Emirates, Iran carried out its 19th attack on a vessel belonging to the UAE state oil company ADNOC on Friday evening.
It has been reported that U.S. Navy warships are still not operating within the Strait of Hormuz. While U.S. forces are said to be enforcing a blockade on Iranian traffic outside the strait in the Gulf of Oman, there has been no public information released regarding any U.S. Navy warship passing through the strait in the last four months.
Senior officials of the U.S. Navy have also indicated that issues accessing logistical facilities in Bahrain are complicating supply operations for forces operating in the Arabian Sea.
Iran: 'Hormuz belongs to Iran'
Iran, on the other hand, asserts that control over the Strait of Hormuz belongs to it. Tehran claims not only the right to have a say over the passage through the strait but also the right to charge passage fees from ships.
Iran also argues that the Strait of Hormuz should be jointly managed by Iran and Oman and is conducting discussions with Omani officials on this matter.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi reacted to Trump's statements, saying, 'The Strait of Hormuz was Iran's, is Iran's, and will remain Iran's property.'
Gharibabadi stated that the strait can only be closed and opened by Iran's decision and expressed that they would continue to respond to the blockade imposed by the U.S.
Oil flow has not completely stopped
Despite Iran's blockade, it is reported that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have not completely ceased. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright estimated that approximately 9 million barrels of oil pass through the strait daily, while independent analysts assess this figure to be between 4 to 5 million barrels per day.
The UAE's oil company ADNOC plays a significant role in transporting not only its own oil but also Iraqi oil. The company continues to transit through the Strait of Hormuz largely using its own tanker fleet.
Market analysts indicate that one reason oil prices remain below $100 per barrel, despite the strait appearing to be closed, is this limited but ongoing oil flow.
On the other hand, the decline in global oil demand and the decrease in China's imports, along with increased pipeline shipments to Fujairah and Yanbu, are also reducing supply pressure in the market. ADNOC's shuttle line is also believed to be carrying more crude oil than previously anticipated.
As the Strait of Hormuz continues to be one of the most critical transit points for global oil and LNG trade, the impacts of the control struggle between the U.S. and Iran on global energy markets and maritime transport are being closely monitored.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
