Trump Says the Idea of Annexing the Strait of Hormuz Is a Good One
In the afternoon of August 17, Eastern Time in the United States, U.S. President Donald Trump, while answering questions from the media at the White House, said, “It’s a good idea to declare the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory.” He stressed that the United States is, by means of a blockade, exercising “complete control” over the strait. Last week, Trump had also openly said that once Iran was thoroughly defeated, he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory. When asked about progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations, Trump said, “Iran wants to reach an agreement, but it won’t reach the kind of agreement that I think is necessary.” He did not disclose details of the negotiations, only emphasizing that “Iran cannot have nuclear weapons.” When asked whether the United States plans to extend the memorandum of understanding it has reached with Iran, Trump gave a negative answer. On August 17, the 60-day negotiation window set by the U.S.-Iran memorandum expired. The two sides signed the memorandum in mid-June, committing to hold negotiations within 60 days to reach a final agreement. When asked about his remarks that “if Oman obstructs the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, it will be bombed by the U.S. military,” Trump said he thought Oman’s “performance is not very good,” but “we will deal with it very easily.” (CCTV International News)
In the afternoon of August 17, Eastern Time in the United States, U.S. President Donald Trump, while answering questions from the media at the White House, said, “It’s a good idea to declare the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory.” He stressed that the United States is, by means of a blockade, exercising “complete control” over the strait. Last week, Trump had also openly said that once Iran was thoroughly defeated, he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory. When asked about progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations, Trump said, “Iran wants to reach an agreement, but it won’t reach the kind of agreement that I think is necessary.” He did not disclose details of the negotiations, only emphasizing that “Iran cannot have nuclear weapons.” When asked whether the United States plans to extend the memorandum of understanding it has reached with Iran, Trump gave a negative answer. On August 17, the 60-day negotiation window set by the U.S.-Iran memorandum expired. The two sides signed the memorandum in mid-June, committing to hold negotiations within 60 days to reach a final agreement. When asked about his remarks that “if Oman obstructs the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, it will be bombed by the U.S. military,” Trump said he thought Oman’s “performance is not very good,” but “we will deal with it very easily.” (CCTV International News)