President Donald Trump was “joking” when he stated he would declare the Strait of Hormuz as United States territory after a war with Iran, according to a senior White House official cited by The Wall Street Journal. The remark, made during a political rally in New York, has drawn swift denials and warnings from Iranian officials over control of the vital global energy corridor.
Trump’s Remarks at Nassau County Police Academy
According to The Wall Street Journal reporter Brian Schwartz, writing on the social media platform X, President Trump has not met with his presidential advisers to discuss any such territorial declaration. The comment originated during an appearance by Trump at the newly built Nassau County Police Academy in Garden City, New York, held on Friday, August 14, 2026, as reported by Anadolu Agency and Antara News.
“After we finish defeating Iran, which is being defeated very badly, I will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz as United States territory,” Trump told the audience, punctuating the statement with a light laugh before adding that the assertion was true, according to Schwartz’s on-the-ground reporting. Trump also claimed during the address that Washington maintains strict operational control over maritime traffic through the chokepoint, stating that no vessels pass without explicit authorization.
Iranian Military and Diplomatic Rebuttal
Tehran rejected the claims immediately. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that the strategic waterway remains entirely under Iranian jurisdiction. “The Strait of Hormuz belongs to Iran, currently belongs to Iran, and will remain belonging to Iran; this strait will only be closed or reopened by Iran’s order,” Gharibabadi stated, according to Anadolu Agency. The Iranian diplomat dismissed the idea of a takeover via social media posts, carrier deployments, or political speeches. Furthermore, the Iranian military’s Central Command formally labeled assertions of American control over the strait as baseless fabrications, as reported by Antara News and Investor.id.
Maritime Traffic and Geopolitical Context
Shipping data underscores the high stakes in the region amid ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Cargo and commodity tracking data from Kpler cited by CNN shows that 3,371 vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz over a 166-day span following the outbreak of hostilities, representing roughly 20 percent of normal pre-war traffic volume. Diplomatic efforts, including an April ceasefire mediated by Pakistan and an initial June 17 agreement to pursue a permanent settlement, stalled over security guarantees and navigational freedom. That diplomatic breakdown preceded a renewed exchange of military strikes between July 8 and July 24, during which US forces targeted sites in Iran while Tehran struck US military assets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did President Trump formally order the annexation of the Strait of Hormuz?
No. According to a senior White House official cited by The Wall Street Journal, President Trump has not met with his advisers regarding any such step and delivered the remark as a joke during a New York speech.
How has Iran responded to Trump’s statements?
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and Iran’s military command rejected the assertions, emphasizing that the waterway remains under Iranian authority and cannot be transferred through political speeches or military deployments.
What is the current status of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz?
Traffic through the vital energy corridor has dropped significantly. Data from Kpler indicates that shipping volumes fell to about 20 percent of pre-conflict levels following the outbreak of hostilities.