Trump dismisses USS Lincoln conditions, proposes US control of Strait of Hormuz

Donald Trump has proposed declaring the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States, amidst ongoing tensions and conflict with Iran over control of the vital waterway. Speaking at a rally in New York, Trump stated that the U.S. would take this action "after we finish defeating Iran," asserting that the U.S. is in "total control" and "owns" the Strait. This declaration comes as the U.S. maintains a blockade of Iranian ports and vessels, and follows recent attacks on tankers in the Strait, which the United Arab Emirates attributed to Iran. Iran has consistently countered U.S. claims, maintaining that the Strait of Hormuz is "under Iran's control and management".

The proposal from the former president is set against a backdrop of concerns surrounding the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier that has been deployed for almost nine months in the region. While Trump dismissed worries about the vessel's conditions, Democratic senators and a sailor's family have raised questions regarding the crew's welfare. The USS Abraham Lincoln is anticipated to be replaced by the USS George Washington. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global chokepoint for oil shipments, and the ongoing dispute has impacted international oil prices and traffic volumes through the waterway.