Trump says he will declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory
US President Donald Trump said he will 'soon' declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory, an announcement made amid continued tension in the waterway and concerns over the troubled carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Iran responded that the strait 'will remain Iranian'.
US President Donald Trump raised regional tensions another notch by saying he will soon declare the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz US territory. The remark came amid weeks of escalating friction in the waterway, through which a significant share of the world's oil shipments passes.
Trump's comments came as the US works to relieve the troubled aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which has faced difficulties near the Hormuz region. Iran issued a sharp response, saying the strait can be seized 'neither by tweet nor by aircraft carrier' and that the area will remain Iranian territory.
Tehran also said it had not yet decided whether to return to talks with Washington, while noting it was working with Oman on alternative shipping routes. International shipping and energy markets are watching closely for signs of how any further escalation around the strait could affect global oil supply.
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