Trump proposes Hormuz Strait claim and orders reduced military drills with South Korea

President Donald Trump has made several significant statements regarding US military and territorial ambitions in Asia and the Middle East. During a speech in New York, Trump suggested that after defeating Iran, he would declare the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States, claiming the US currently maintains a blockade that controls ship transit.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected these claims as ‘delusional,’ asserting that the strait is, was, and will remain Iranian, and that only Iran has the authority to open or close it. Meanwhile, Iran has reportedly reached a shipping route agreement with Oman for the strait.

In a separate move, Trump ordered Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce US participation in joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump characterized the exercises as ‘totally inappropriate and hostile’ toward North Korea, citing his positive relationship with Kim Jong Un. The exercises, which involve 18,000 South Korean soldiers, were intended to increase readiness against North Korean threats through live-fire drills and complex operational scenarios.