Trump Threatens to Make Strait of Hormuz a US Territory: Can He?

The latest salvo in Donald Trump’s ongoing conflict with Iran has left many bewildered. In a statement, the US president declared he would soon designate the Strait of Hormuz as a US territory “pretty soon.” This outlandish claim has sparked widespread ridicule, but it also highlights the deepening crisis in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. It’s through this passage that a fifth of global oil and gas supplies pass, making it a prized strategic asset for any nation seeking to exert control over energy markets. Iran has blockaded the strait since February 28, refusing to back down without concessions from Washington.

Trump’s claim is not as simple as declaring the Strait a US territory with a tweet or executive order. Annexation requires a formal treaty ratified by the Senate or a statute, and even then, it would be a highly contentious move facing significant opposition from other nations.

This latest threat is part of a larger pattern of brinksmanship from Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran only to pull back at the last minute. His claims of “defeating” Iran are laughable, given the ongoing stalemate in the region. It’s clear that Trump is trying to save face after his failed attempts to negotiate with Tehran.

Behind this desperate attempt to assert control over the Strait lies a possible explanation: Trump’s desire to distract from his own domestic woes. With midterm elections looming, the president and his party are scrambling to shore up support among their base. By engaging in grandiose rhetoric about annexing strategic territories, Trump hopes to create a diversion from his party’s flagging popularity.

The international community is watching this debacle with growing concern. The UN Charter prohibits aggressive war, and any attempt by the US to assert control over Iranian territory would be seen as a clear breach of that treaty. As Natalie Klein, an expert in international law, pointed out, Trump’s claim would only have plausibility under international law if the US were asserting control over the Strait as an occupying power – a move requiring military control over Iran or at least its coastal areas.

In the end, this is less about geopolitics than it is about Trump’s ego. He’s desperate to assert his dominance on the world stage, but his actions are only serving to alienate allies and embolden adversaries. As the situation in the Strait of Hormuz continues to deteriorate, one thing is clear: the US president is playing with fire, and someone will get burned.

The standoff between Washington and Tehran continues, with both sides engaging in posturing and saber-rattling. But beneath the rhetoric lies a deeper truth: that this conflict is not about Iranian “defeat” or US “victory,” but rather competing visions for regional order in the Middle East. As long as Trump remains at the helm, it’s hard to see how this crisis will be resolved anytime soon.

The world watches with bated breath as Trump’s latest gamble unfolds. Will he manage to salvage his reputation by somehow claiming victory over Iran? Or will he further alienate his allies and embolden his enemies? One thing is certain: the Strait of Hormuz has become a global powder keg, and it’s anyone’s guess what might happen next.

Washington’s efforts to shore up support ahead of the midterms are faltering. Trump’s popularity ratings continue to plummet, and his party is struggling to maintain momentum. By engaging in grandiose rhetoric about annexing strategic territories, Trump is only serving to further polarize public opinion.

Tehran has made it clear that they will not back down without concessions from Washington. The question remains: what exactly are those concessions? Will Iran agree to lift its blockade of the Strait in exchange for US withdrawal of troops or some other compromise?

Annexation requires a formal treaty ratified by the Senate or a statute, and even then, it would be a highly contentious move facing significant opposition from other nations. Trump’s claim highlights the complexity of this issue.

The international community is watching this debacle with growing concern. The UN Charter prohibits aggressive war, and any attempt by the US to assert control over Iranian territory would be seen as a clear breach of that treaty.