President Donald J. Trump boards Marine One on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. on Friday, August 14, 2026, en route Joint Base Andrews for a trip to New York and New Jersey. (Official White House photo by Andrea Hanks)
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said there are no negotiations currently taking place with Iran, but that “all water mines have been removed or detonated” from the Strait of Hormuz, which he’s looking to make an American territory.
“There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump said on Truth Social.
“The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated.”
U.S. Central Command said as of Monday, Aug. 17, “CENTCOM forces have redirected 64 commercial vessels, disabled 3, and boarded 2 to ensure compliance.”
A U.S. Navy MH-60 Sea Hawk hovers over the flight deck of USS Mason (DDG 87) as the ship enforces America’s steel wall blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 17, CENTCOM forces have redirected 64 commercial vessels, disabled 3, and boarded 2 to ensure compliance. pic.twitter.com/6DRDqmX3v3
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 17, 2026
Also on Tuesday, Trump doubled down on his push to make the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory, posting on a map to that effect.
On Monday in the Oval Office, Trump again discussed that possibility, telling reporters: “I just think it’s a great idea.”
“We control it with the blockade, and I like the idea of declaring it a territory.”
“Now they can be a nuisance. They can put a mine in the water, and people don’t like having mines hit their billion-dollar ships.”
“We’re taking out millions of barrels of oil a week,” Trump added. “The oil prices are coming down and they will continue to come down unless we decide to do something far more drastic than we’re doing. Iran is in big trouble. They have 300% inflation. The country’s a mess and their military is totally defeated.”
WATCH:
.@POTUS on the Strait of Hormuz: “I like the idea of declaring it a territory. We have total control over the Strait.” pic.twitter.com/xovV3kc8Di
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 17, 2026
Last Friday, as WorldNetDaily reported, Trump said in a public speech: “After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States.”
“Pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States.”
President Trump floats a dramatic move involving the strategically critical waterway as he says Iran is being “very badly defeated.” pic.twitter.com/zXJhCfOIqH
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 14, 2026
Trump also shared a photo Tuesday of late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham sporting a hat reading, “Make Iran Great Again.”
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‘This is what I voted for’: Trump delivers stunner about the Strait of Hormuz