Trump Proposes U.S. Claim Over Strategic Strait of Hormuz

In a bold statement during a police academy event in New York, President Donald Trump announced plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory, asserting that Iran is facing significant military setbacks. "I will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz as part of the United States. That’s true," Trump said with a smile, emphasizing the strength of U.S. military efforts.

His comments come amidst rising tensions in the region following the U.S. and Israel's military campaign against Iran, which began on February 28. The aim was to dismantle Iran's controversial nuclear program and incite regime change through popular uprising. However, Iran has since established effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical conduit for global oil and gas.

In response to Iran's actions, the U.S. has implemented a blockade on Iranian ports, with Trump claiming, "We have the blockade. No ship passes unless we want it to." This strong stance follows accusations from the United Arab Emirates that Iran conducted drone attacks on two oil tankers operated by ADNOC, although no injuries were reported.

The Emirati Foreign Ministry condemned Iran's actions as a violation of international navigation rights, labeling them as acts of piracy by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The situation remains tense, yet Iran has not issued a public response.

Trump, speaking to Fox News, reiterated that the U.S. intends to strike hard at Iran's economy, expressing indifference about the outcome before the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted at forthcoming announcements regarding unprecedented economic measures against Iran, though specifics were not disclosed.

Despite 47 years of sanctions, the effectiveness of new U.S. pressure on Iran's economy is uncertain, particularly as targeting secondary buyers like China and India could lead to backlash and market volatility. For Americans, the ongoing conflict has resulted in soaring oil and gasoline prices.

Concerns regarding the prolonged deployment of U.S. naval vessels, particularly the USS Lincoln, have surfaced due to potential impacts on sailors’ mental health. Trump dismissed worries about the deployment’s length, stating it was not "nearly long enough," while the Navy reported no increase in mental health issues aboard the ship.

Source: www.clarin.com