Muhammad Amanullah | August 15, 2026
The True Post — The White House has issued an important clarification regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting that the Strait of Hormuz could be declared U.S. territory.
According to a senior White House official, Trump made the comment jokingly rather than as a serious policy announcement. The official also said that the president had not discussed any such action with his advisers.
White House Clarifies Trump’s Remarks
American journalist Brian Schwartz said on X that a senior White House official told him Trump had not discussed any move with his advisers to declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory following the war with Iran.
According to the official, Trump was speaking jokingly about the Strait of Hormuz during his speech in New York. No meeting was held on the matter, and there is no government plan currently under consideration to take such action.
The clarification came after Trump’s remarks attracted widespread international attention and were interpreted in some circles as a possible major shift in U.S. foreign policy.
Journalist Gives His Own Account
However, Brian Schwartz also shared his own observations regarding Trump’s remarks.
Schwartz said he was present during the president’s speech and personally heard Trump make the statement.
According to the journalist, Trump smiled after making the comment, suggesting that he may have been joking. However, Schwartz said Trump’s subsequent tone did not make it appear that he was treating the entire statement as a joke.
The journalist said Trump’s manner also created the impression that the president might have considered the statement to have some degree of seriousness.
Nevertheless, the White House official has made clear that no formal government action is being considered to declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Is Important
Trump made the remarks during a speech in New York, saying that following the end of the war with Iran, he would declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory.
The statement attracted international attention because the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and plays a critical role in transporting energy supplies from the Middle East to global markets.
A significant share of global oil and gas shipments passes through the waterway. As a result, any major disruption or escalation in the Strait of Hormuz could have consequences for international energy markets.
Tensions With Iran
The Strait of Hormuz is already a highly sensitive issue amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.
During periods of military tension in the region, the security of the waterway and the movement of commercial vessels through it have remained under close international scrutiny.
Iran has previously threatened measures involving the Strait of Hormuz, including the possibility of restricting access, while the United States has emphasized the importance of protecting international trade and maintaining a military presence in the region.
Trump’s Statement Sparks Debate
The White House clarification indicates that Trump’s remarks about declaring the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory do not currently represent an official U.S. policy or government decision.
Nevertheless, the president’s unusual comments about the future and ownership of one of the world’s most strategically important waterways have generated significant international discussion.
The remarks have also raised questions about Washington’s potential future policy toward the region, particularly amid continuing tensions between the United States and Iran.
For now, the White House position is clear: Trump’s statement about declaring the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory was made as a joke and does not reflect any formal government plan.
