US President Donald Trump has described the Strait of Hormuz as "American territory" while his administration maintains a military blockade against Iran, six months into an unresolved conflict between the two nations.

Donald Trump characterized the Strait of Hormuz as functioning under American control during a campaign event in South Carolina on Friday, stating he views the strategic waterway as "an American territory right now." The remarks came as the US military continues to enforce a blockade on Iranian shipping and ports, with American forces having redirected 68 commercial vessels to comply with the restrictions, according to US Central Command.

The Trump administration has escalated its rhetoric on the issue over the past week. During a speech at a New York police academy, Trump previously suggested formally declaring the waterway as US territory, and later posted a map on social media labeling it as a "new U.S. territory." When questioned by reporters about the declaration proposal, Trump stated: "We control it with the blockade, and I like the idea of declaring it a territory."

The Strait of Hormuz, bordered by Iran and Oman, represents a critical shipping route through which approximately one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil supply typically flows. The US blockade directly targets Iran's oil export capacity as Washington pursues a financial pressure strategy against Tehran. However, peace negotiations between the two nations have stalled as the conflict approaches its six-month anniversary.

Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, dismissed Trump's territorial claims as "delusions." During his South Carolina appearance, Trump also made light of potential military action against Iran, joking that he had "plenty of time" to "bomb Iran a little bit more" on a Friday evening.