In a bold statement, Donald Trump declared that he views the Strait of Hormuz as ‘an American territory,’ even as the Iranian President pleads for an end to the ongoing conflict.
The reopening of this strategic waterway has become a pivotal aspect of Trump’s strategy to conclude the war in Iran, which is fast approaching its six-month milestone.
Trump articulated his stance on the Strait during a rally for Senator Darline Graham in South Carolina, clearly conveying his position.
He recounted how the United States had decisively halted Iran’s nuclear aspirations, asserting that Tehran is now eager to negotiate a pact.
‘They are so keen to strike a deal, and yet, we’re uncertain of our interest because, to me, the Strait of Hormuz is essentially American territory right now. It’s an American territory,’ Trump stated confidently.
Earlier Friday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in public remarks that he believes it would be ‘better to end the war today while we are in a position of strength and dignity.’
Pezeshkian claimed that Tehran made zero ‘concessions’ to the US when it signed a memorandum of understanding with Trump in June.
However, Iranians are dealing with a worsening cost of living crisis due to the country’s inability to export oil, The Financial Times reported.
Donald Trump said that he considers the Strait of Hormuz ‘an American territory’ as the President of Iran begged for the bloodshed to end
Earlier Friday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (pictured) said in public remarks that he believes it would be ‘better to end the war today while we are in a position of strength and dignity’
Trump warned Thursday he will launch a campaign to crush Iran’s economy and threatened ‘tremendous’ punishment on any country that does business with Tehran.
The impact of the US attack that killed Ayatollah Khamenei is still there, as an Iranian Shiite cleric said Friday that they still smell ‘burned flesh’ near the ex-supreme leader’s compound.
‘Our leader had a frail body, but contrary to reports that seven or eight bombs were dropped on the site, they hit the Supreme Leader’s compound with 110 bombs and missiles,’ he told Iranian media.
‘Someone told me that when you go near the Supreme Leader’s compound, you can still smell burned flesh. I went there myself and found it was true — you can still smell burned flesh,’ the cleric said at a gathering of supporters in Tehran’s Tajrish Square.
Trump issued his latest threat on Wednesday night, writing on Truth Social: ‘Today, I am announcing the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY! This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale.
‘ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences.’
The President did not specify what punishment countries would face, and none other than Iran were mentioned by name.
He listed several activities that he said need to stop immediately: ‘oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, front companies’.
The President has made the reopening of the waterway a key plank of ending the Iran War, as the conflict heads toward the six month mark
The impact of the US attack that killed Ayatollah Khamenei (pictured right) is still there, as an Iranian Shiite cleric said Friday that they still smell ‘burned flesh’ near the ex-supreme leader’s compound
The intensified economic pressure campaign comes as the war nears its sixth month with no immediate diplomatic or military off-ramp in sight and the vital Strait of Hormuz still significantly choked-off.
With November elections quickly approaching, the President is facing renewed domestic scrutiny over the war’s costs on US consumers and toll on the military.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, said in response that Trump’s plan was simply a ‘diversion’ from the US’ own crisis.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had similarly said last week that the US would soon be ramping up efforts at economically isolating Iran, as part of a two-pronged approach with a US naval blockade.
‘It will be a combination of economic isolation, like the world has never seen before,’ Bessent told conservative television network Newsmax.
The US Treasury has for months been carrying out an effort, dubbed Operation Economic Fury, aiming to cut off Iran’s funding with targeted sanctions.
Iran has struck a defiant tone, having survived months of US military operations that failed to bring a decisive end to the war.
The conflict broke out on February 28 with US-Israeli attacks on the Islamic republic, which retaliated with missile and drone strikes across the region.
Tehran’s missile and drone threat has severely curtailed shipping traffic through the Strait, as a framework US-Iran deal to reopen it collapsed.
In recent days, both sides have said messages were being exchanged, however Trump on Tuesday insisted talks were off and posted a message on social media suggesting the strait could be a ‘NEW US Territory.’
On Tuesday, the UAE announced that it was suspending all economic dealings with Iran after saying it had been targeted by two ballistic missiles.
The neighbors across the Gulf share deep cultural and historical ties, and the UAE – home to a sizable Iranian community – had been a major trading partner for US-sanctioned Iran, at least before the war.
‘We need all of our Allies to stand with the United States of America to isolate, and defeat, the Iran threat,’ Trump said Wednesday on Truth Social.