US President Donald Trump on Friday (August 15) said he would "soon" declare the Strait of Hormuz an American territory after defeating Iran.&nbsp;Speaking at a political rally at a police academy in New York State, Trump said, "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," drawing a chuckle from the crowd."It's true," he added.&nbsp;The United States and Iran remain locked in a standoff over the strait. Iran has denied access to much of the civilian shipping, while the US Navy has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in an effort to weaken the country's economy.&nbsp;"We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to," Trump told the cheering crowd of supporters and police.&nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/luigi-mangione-pleads-guilty-in-federal-case-over-killing-of-unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-1786726506112"> Luigi Mangione pleads guilty in federal case over killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, two slicks have emerged in Iranian waters, according to satellite imagery and video verified by Reuters. The development comes as tit-for-tat attacks by Iran and the United States on oil tankers and other vessels raise concerns about environmental damage in the Gulf.&nbsp;A possible environmental disaster is also unfolding off Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz. The grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi is leaking Russian crude oil in a protected marine area. The spill has created a huge slick that some estimates put at 2,000 square kilometres.<h3>US says it redirects commercial ships</h3>The US Central Command said that its ongoing military blockade of Iranian ports has redirected 62 commercial ships.&nbsp;CENTCOM said the operation also disabled three ships and involved boarding two others to ensure compliance.&nbsp;The command released the figures along with a photo showing a US sailor directing an "MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter during nighttime flight operations aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton," as the vessel operated in the Arabian Sea while enforcing the blockade.

Trump said the US would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz its territory after defeating Iran, as tensions over the vital waterway continue amid a US blockade of Iranian ports.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (August 15) said he would "soon" declare the Strait of Hormuz an American territory after defeating Iran. Speaking at a political rally at a police academy in New York State, Trump said, "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," drawing a chuckle from the crowd. "It's true," he added. The United States and Iran remain locked in a standoff over the strait. Iran has denied access to much of the civilian shipping, while the US Navy has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in an effort to weaken the country's economy. "We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to," Trump told the cheering crowd of supporters and police. Also Read: Luigi Mangione pleads guilty in federal case over killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Meanwhile, two slicks have emerged in Iranian waters, according to satellite imagery and video verified by Reuters. The development comes as tit-for-tat attacks by Iran and the United States on oil tankers and other vessels raise concerns about environmental damage in the Gulf. A possible environmental disaster is also unfolding off Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz. The grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi is leaking Russian crude oil in a protected marine area. The spill has created a huge slick that some estimates put at 2,000 square kilometres. US says it redirects commercial ships The US Central Command said that its ongoing military blockade of Iranian ports has redirected 62 commercial ships. CENTCOM said the operation also disabled three ships and involved boarding two others to ensure compliance. The command released the figures along with a photo showing a US sailor directing an "MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter during nighttime flight operations aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton," as the vessel operated in the Arabian Sea while enforcing the blockade.

Trump said the US would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz its territory after defeating Iran, as tensions over the vital waterway continue amid a US blockade of Iranian ports.

Trump vows to declare Strait of Hormuz US territory after defeating Iran

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (August 12) claimed that the United States has "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and said he intends to maintain control of the strategic waterway as negotiations with Iran over its reopening remain stalled.&nbsp;In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, 'A WALL OF STEEL,' and there is nothing Iran can do about it."&nbsp;Trump also claimed that Iran's military infrastructure had suffered severe damage. He ended his message with the phrase, "Praise be to Allah!"&nbsp;"All they have is FAKE NEWS and 300% INFLATION, and getting worse! Iran is all talk and no action, the Bully of the Middle East No Longer. Praise be to Allah! President DONALD J. TRUMP," he added.&nbsp;Trump has repeatedly said that Washington controls the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for energy and other commodity shipments through the Middle East.&nbsp;Iran, however, says it effectively controls a large part of the waterway and plans to impose a toll system in response to the US war launched by Trump on February 28.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-gives-intelligence-services-broad-powers-amid-rising-hybrid-threats-security-lapses-1786548101127">Germany gives intelligence services broad powers amid rising threats, security lapses</a>&nbsp;Trump made a similar claim on Tuesday while speaking to reporters. "We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. They don't have control. We have total control. We own it."&nbsp;The remarks came amid a prolonged confrontation over the strategic maritime passage. Nearly 20 per cent of global petroleum trade moves through the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Trump's latest statement also came as Washington and Tehran continued behind-the-scenes diplomatic engagement. Representatives from both sides have held indirect discussions over measures to ease the Hormuz crisis and restore regular maritime traffic.&nbsp;Tehran has reportedly sought compensation for war-related damage linked to the US war launched by Trump on February 28, along with compensation for economic losses caused by sanctions. Trump has publicly rejected the demand.&nbsp;At the same time, the Trump administration has intensified economic pressure on Tehran by enforcing existing sanctions and warning that additional punitive measures could follow if Iran refuses to comply.Iranian representatives have accused Washington of using military pressure and economic measures to seek unilateral concessions during the negotiations.

US President Donald Trump has again claimed that the United States has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, insisting Iran can do nothing to challenge the US naval blockade.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (August 12) claimed that the United States has "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and said he intends to maintain control of the strategic waterway as negotiations with Iran over its reopening remain stalled. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, 'A WALL OF STEEL,' and there is nothing Iran can do about it." Trump also claimed that Iran's military infrastructure had suffered severe damage. He ended his message with the phrase, "Praise be to Allah!" "All they have is FAKE NEWS and 300% INFLATION, and getting worse! Iran is all talk and no action, the Bully of the Middle East No Longer. Praise be to Allah! President DONALD J. TRUMP," he added. Trump has repeatedly said that Washington controls the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for energy and other commodity shipments through the Middle East. Iran, however, says it effectively controls a large part of the waterway and plans to impose a toll system in response to the US war launched by Trump on February 28. Also Read: Germany gives intelligence services broad powers amid rising threats, security lapses Trump made a similar claim on Tuesday while speaking to reporters. "We have total control over the Hormuz Strait right now. They don't have control. We have total control. We own it." The remarks came amid a prolonged confrontation over the strategic maritime passage. Nearly 20 per cent of global petroleum trade moves through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's latest statement also came as Washington and Tehran continued behind-the-scenes diplomatic engagement. Representatives from both sides have held indirect discussions over measures to ease the Hormuz crisis and restore regular maritime traffic. Tehran has reportedly sought compensation for war-related damage linked to the US war launched by Trump on February 28, along with compensation for economic losses caused by sanctions. Trump has publicly rejected the demand. At the same time, the Trump administration has intensified economic pressure on Tehran by enforcing existing sanctions and warning that additional punitive measures could follow if Iran refuses to comply. Iranian representatives have accused Washington of using military pressure and economic measures to seek unilateral concessions during the negotiations.

US President Donald Trump has again claimed that the United States has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, insisting Iran can do nothing to challenge the US naval blockade.

'Nothing Iran can do': Trump again claims US has 'total control' over Hormuz

Iran’s parliament has approved closing the Strait of Hormuz after us attacks on its nuclear sites; however, under international law (UNCLOS), Iran cannot legally block the strait, as it’s a key global trade route for oil and LNG, protected by the right of transit passage.

Iran’s parliament has approved closing the Strait of Hormuz after us attacks on its nuclear sites; however, under international law (UNCLOS), Iran cannot legally block the strait, as it’s a key global trade route for oil and LNG, protected by the right of transit passage.

Strait of Hormuz: Can Iran legally block the waterway under international law?

Strait of Hormuz is a critical oil and LNG trade route. Closure could disrupt global energy supply, spike oil prices to $130, delay shipping, raise insurance and freight costs, and trigger inflation and supply chain chaos.

Strait of Hormuz is a critical oil and LNG trade route. Closure could disrupt global energy supply, spike oil prices to $130, delay shipping, raise insurance and freight costs, and trigger inflation and supply chain chaos.

How closing the 'Strait of Hormuz' could trigger a global shipping crisis

Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes daily. It is one of the world’s most strategic chokepoints for global trade.

Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes daily. It is one of the world’s most strategic chokepoints for global trade.

Strait of Hormuz: 4 key commodities India relies on from this vital trade route

India maintains a Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. The SPR is meant to cushion India against supply disruptions.

India maintains a Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) under the Ministry of Petroleum &amp; Natural Gas. The SPR is meant to cushion India against supply disruptions.

Strait of Hormuz: How many days can India survive with its strategic oil reserves?

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil is shipped. For India, nearly 60-65 per cent of crude oil imports transit this corridor from Gulf nations.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil is shipped. For India, nearly 60-65 per cent of crude oil imports transit this corridor from Gulf nations.

Strait of Hormuz: Will oil prices rise in India if Iran closes the water corridor?

Iranian parliament, the Majlis approved a measure to close the strait of Hormuz on Sunday, a move with far-reaching consequences.

Iranian parliament, the Majlis approved a measure to close the strait of Hormuz on Sunday, a move with far-reaching consequences.

Hormuz Strait on the brink: What stopped Iran from closing it and what’s changed now?