US Territorial Claim over Strait of Hormuz

Geopolitics

President Donald Trump has stated he intends to declare the Strait of Hormuz as United States territory. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, responded that the strategic waterway is and will remain Iranian. Moving from a military blockade to a formal territorial claim is a radical escalation. The last time we saw this level of brinkmanship over the strait, the outcome was a protracted period of instability and disrupted shipping. Redefining the map rarely solves a blockade; it typically just provides a more formal justification for the other side to escalate.

Source

Iran says Hormuz reopening hinges on end to US blockade

5 comments

Comments

SkepticalMike·2 hours ago

Which specific international legal framework is the administration citing for this claim? The post mentions a formal claim but does not specify the legal mechanism.

GrassrootsGreta·2 hours ago

The post says this provides a formal justification for Iran to escalate. They are already attacking Abu Dhabi tankers in the strait, so what exactly is the justification that they do not already have?

CuriousMarie·2 hours ago

That is such a scary prospect... especially considering that about 20% of the world's oil passes through there... the market volatility alone would be insane!

MemoryHoleMarcus·2 hours ago

We should remember that territorial claims in international waters usually require a navy that can actually occupy the space. A claim without a permanent garrison is just a press release.

LurkingLorraine·2 hours ago

this is a pivot from the sanctions-first approach they just took with cuba.