President Donald Trump announced Friday he intends to declare the Strait of Hormuz a United States territory "pretty soon," as the crucial global oil chokepoint remains a focal point of military and diplomatic deadlock between the U.S. and Iran.

The declaration follows a period of heightened tension and military action, with the ongoing war between the U.S. and Iran, which began on February 28, contributing to the strategic significance of the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime route through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and gas passes, making its control a critical global economic concern.

Trump, speaking at a police academy in New York, stated that after Iran's defeat, the U.S. would claim the strait. He further suggested that the existing U.S. naval blockade effectively makes the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory already, noting that "no ships get through unless we want them to."

Iran has dismissed Trump's threats as "nonsense." The memorandum of understanding between the two nations, signed in June, is set to expire on Sunday. Tehran has utilized its position to leverage the passage as a potential "global economy kill switch," while Washington has responded with a naval blockade aimed at further isolating Iran's economy.

This rhetoric is consistent with Trump's pattern of military threats against Iran throughout the ongoing conflict, often followed by a retraction at the last minute. The U.S. president's approach to Iran has been characterized by a combination of aggressive military posturing and negotiation, which he likens to playing chess.

However, the legal and practical implications of declaring an international strait a U.S. territory are complex. The Strait of Hormuz is recognized as territorial waters belonging to Iran and Oman. International maritime law governs passage through such straits, and unilateral declarations of sovereignty by external powers are not recognized.

Al Jazeera's Kimberly Halkett, reporting from Washington, D.C., suggested that Trump's remarks might be intended to provoke adversaries rather than signal a concrete policy shift. She noted that even Trump himself appeared to deliver the statement with a degree of levity, indicating it may not be taken with full seriousness, though the U.S. naval blockade in the Strait remains an active and ongoing measure.

Despite the U.S. blockade and claims of control, maritime data indicates that some vessels have continued to transit the Strait. This ongoing situation highlights the contested nature of the waterway and the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, leaving the ultimate resolution of control and passage rights uncertain.