President Donald Trump announced on Long Island that, once the United States finishes what he described as a decisive defeat of Iran, he intends to declare the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States. The statement, made at a public event on Friday, was repeated in the Oval Office on Monday, where Trump offered no legal justification or cost estimate for the proposal.
Background on the strategic waterway
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage that links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, carrying roughly a fifth of the world’s petroleum shipments. It lies within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, both of which have not offered to relinquish control. Historically, the United States has sought to keep the waterway open through naval patrols and, more recently, a blockade that the Pentagon calls a “steel wall” against Iran.
Current U.S. operations and costs
U.S. Central Command reported that its forces have redirected 64 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two to enforce compliance with the blockade. The operation, which has been imposed, lifted, and re‑imposed since April, is said to cost Iran an estimated $4.8 billion in lost oil revenue, or about $435 million per day, according to Pentagon estimates. No comparable figure has been provided for the expense to U.S. taxpayers.
A Congressional Research Service report updated August 7 outlines several possible scenarios for U.S. involvement, including establishing a formal administration for the waterway. The report does not assign a dollar amount, noting that any long‑term commitment could require substantial military, diplomatic, and other resources.
Expert and regional reactions
Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, warned that the Navy is ill‑equipped for a sustained strait‑control mission, citing a focus on carriers and destroyers at the expense of mine‑clearing and convoy‑escort capabilities.
Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni‑Ejei, dismissed Trump’s claim as “delusions,” asserting that Iran remains the owner and ruler of the waterway. Oman, which shares the strait’s waters and has long acted as a U.S. partner in regional diplomacy, has not responded to requests for comment.
Trump’s broader financial proposals
Earlier this year, Trump floated the idea of charging vessels for passage, describing the United States as a “Guardian Angel” owed reimbursement for services rendered. By mid‑July, he shifted to urging Gulf states to make “massive” investments in the United States instead of imposing a fee.
In March, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation was directed to provide political‑risk insurance for commercial shipping in the Gulf, initially committing $20 billion in coverage, which grew to $40 billion by April. The facility has seen limited use, according to agency spokespeople.
Iran’s counter‑measure
Iran established a “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” in May to charge vessels for passage, a move sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury. The authority estimates that security and service fees could generate about $40 billion annually, according to the CRS report.
The question of who ultimately pays to keep the strait open echoes the 1980s “Tanker War,” when the U.S. Navy escorted oil tankers and engaged Iranian forces in the largest naval surface battle since World War II. At that time, some members of Congress pressed allies to share the cost, a debate that remains unresolved today.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
