Trump says he will declare Strait of Hormuz a US territory

# Why This Matters Trump's assertion of unilateral control over the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly one-third of global seaborne oil passes daily—would fundamentally destabilize international commerce and regional security if acted upon. Such a declaration directly violates the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which establishes freedom of navigation in international straits, and would pit the US military against both Iranian forces and potentially Oman, a key regional mediator. The practical effect would likely be dramatic: global energy prices could spike immediately as markets price in the risk of access disruption, shipping insurance costs would soar, and US allies dependent on Persian Gulf oil would face pressure to either capitulate to American control of their energy supplies or develop costly alternative routes. Beyond economics, the statement signals a willingness to overturn the post-World War II maritime framework that has underpinned global trade, inviting other major powers like China and Russia to similarly claim strategic waterways and triggering a cascade of regional conflicts over resource control.