GARDEN CITY, 15 August, 2026 (Nosheen): US President Donald Trump has said the United States could soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory, escalating his rhetoric over the strategically vital waterway as the conflict with Iran continues to push up global oil and gasoline prices. Speaking in Garden City on Friday, Trump said that after defeating Iran, he would soon announce the Strait of Hormuz as a territory of the United States. The seriousness of the remark and whether it represents a formal change in US policy remained unclear.The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy supplies, with roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments normally passing through the waterway.Concerns over prolonged disruption have contributed to higher oil prices, with Brent crude approaching $90 per barrel during the week. US gasoline prices have also risen to around $4 per gallon. Trump urged Americans to accept higher fuel prices as part of the cost of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He defended US military action against Iran, saying he would not apologise for the attacks.The president’s comments come with growing domestic political risks as rising fuel prices conflict with his campaign promise to reduce energy costs. Democrats are seeking to make the economic impact of the Iran conflict a major issue ahead of the November midterm elections.