Trump Seeks Hormuz as U.S. Territory; Iran Refutes

President Trump repeated a pledge to declare the Strait of Hormuz United States territory after defeating Iran, while Tehran publicly rejected such claims and said the strait would remain under Iranian control. Iran asserts the waterway will be opened and closed only under its command, and warns that it cannot be seized by tweets or displays of force as tensions over navigation and sanctions persist. The UAE accused Iran of attacking an ADNOC vessel in the strait, adding to a pattern of regional escalation that has disrupted oil traffic. The United States is preparing an unprecedented economic isolation campaign against Iran, potentially combining sanctions with a blockade of Iranian ports and tighter controls on trade and shipping, aiming to choke Iran’s hard currency channels. Oil traffic through Hormuz has already fallen sharply, with some days showing no visible crude shipments, signaling broad disruption to global oil flows. Officials say the strategy could have wide implications for both Iran and the global economy.