Iran Torches Trump’s ‘Delusion’ Over Making Hormuz U.S. Territory
Iran Warns U.S.: "You Can’t Take the Strait of Hormuz With a Tweet"
What Is Happening Right Now?
Imagine a narrow hallway that one-fifth of the world’s oil must walk through every single day. That hallway is the Strait of Hormuz, a thin strip of water between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Since late February, a conflict has turned this vital hallway into a danger zone, and oil tankers are too scared to use it.
Recently, President Donald Trump suggested the United States might simply declare this international waterway "a territory of the United States." Iran’s response was swift, sharp, and very clear: No.
Important Point
The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway. It belongs to the world, not any single country. Iran controls the northern shore, Oman and the UAE control the southern shore, but the water in the middle is governed by international law. No tweet, speech, or aircraft carrier can legally change that.
The Backstory: How Did We Get Here?
- February 28: The U.S. launched a military operation against Iran (the article refers to this as a "war").
- Mid-June: Both sides signed a paper (a memorandum of understanding) agreeing to talk for 60 days to try to stop the fighting.
- Now (Early August): That 60-day window closes Monday. Almost zero direct talks have actually happened.
- Friday: Trump speaks in New York, claims Iran is "very badly defeated," and floats the idea of claiming the Strait.
- Saturday Morning: Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, posts on X (formerly Twitter) rejecting the claim and vowing to keep the blockade going.
Why Is the Strait of Hormuz Such a Big Deal?
Think of the Strait like the main checkout line at a global grocery store.
- ~130–140 ships usually pass through every day during peaceful times.
- Right now: Only two ships passed through on Friday. Zero carried crude oil.
- The Result: Oil prices are significantly higher than before the conflict. Brent crude futures were up 6% for the week.
ELI5 Analogy
If the world’s oil supply is a garden hose, the Strait of Hormuz is the nozzle. If someone squeezes the nozzle (blockades the strait), the water (oil) stops flowing to the sprinklers (the global economy), and the pressure (price) builds up.
Who Is Saying What?
The U.S. Position (President Trump & VP Vance)
- Goal #1: Keep gas prices low for Americans.
- Goal #2: Ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon (Iran says it doesn’t want one).
- Strategy: Blockade Iranian ports + military pressure + economic squeezing.
- Latest Claim: "Pretty soon, I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States."
Iran’s Position (Foreign Minister Araghchi & Deputy FM Gharibabadi)
- Sovereignty: "This strait will only be opened and closed under Iran’s command."
- Reality Check: "Cannot be seized with a tweet, nor with an aircraft carrier, nor by issuing an order, nor through an election speech."
- Negotiations: "No negotiations currently taking place… No decision has yet been taken to resume talks with America."
- Mediators: Qatar and Pakistan are passing messages, but Iran says this does not count as negotiating.
The Human & Economic Cost
- Shipping Danger: Ships are turning off their tracking devices (transponders) to sneak through. Iran is firing on vessels attempting to cross.
- Recent Attack: On Friday, a bulk carrier (a ship carrying dry cargo like grain or ore) was hit by a "projectile" in the Strait. The crew is safe, but damage and environmental impact are unknown.
- Your Wallet: Gas prices are up. Trump asked Americans to accept "a tiny little bit more" at the pump as the price of this strategy.
Summary
| Topic | Status |
|---|---|
| Conflict Start | February 28, 2026 |
| Negotiation Deadline | Monday (End of 60-day window) |
| Direct Talks Held | Very few / Effectively zero |
| Strait Traffic | Trickle (2 ships Friday vs 130+ normal) |
| Oil Prices | Significantly higher; rising again last week |
| Iran’s Stance | Total control of Strait; no talks until U.S. accepts "defeat" |
| U.S. Stance | Claims victory near; threatens to annex Strait; prioritizes cheap gas & non-proliferation |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Can the U.S. actually legally declare the Strait of Hormuz its territory?
No. Under international law (specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea), the Strait is an international strait used for global navigation. Bordering nations (Iran, Oman, UAE) have territorial waters there, but no outside nation can claim sovereignty over the passage itself. A declaration by a U.S. President would have no legal standing globally.
2. Why is Iran blockading the Strait if it hurts the whole world?
Iran views the Strait as its primary leverage. Since the U.S. is blockading Iran’s ports (stopping Iran from selling its oil), Iran is retaliating by threatening the global oil supply. It is a game of "chicken" designed to inflict enough economic pain on the world (high gas prices) to force the U.S. to stop.
3. Are the U.S. and Iran talking right now?
Effectively, no. While Qatar and Pakistan are shuttling messages back and forth, Iran’s Foreign Minister explicitly stated: "This does not at all constitute negotiations." The 60-day diplomatic window closes Monday with no deal in sight.
4. What happens to gas prices if this continues?
They will likely stay high or go higher. The article notes Brent crude futures rose 6% in just one week. As long as tankers cannot safely pass, supply stays tight, and prices stay up.
5. What is the "projectile" that hit the ship on Friday?
The article says it was an "unknown projectile." The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO)—a British navy group that tracks shipping safety—confirmed the hit but hasn’t identified if it was a missile, drone, or mine. This highlights how dangerous the waterway has become for civilian sailors.
Final Important Point
This is a standoff with no off-ramp in sight. The negotiating clock runs out Monday. Iran says it won’t talk until the U.S. admits "defeat." The U.S. claims it is winning and is making maximalist territorial claims. Meanwhile, civilian ships are being shot at, and the world pays more for energy.