A senior White House official has described President Donald Trump’s remarks about the Strait of Hormuz as a joke.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the official said Trump’s advisers had not discussed any plan to make the strategic waterway US territory.
The official said Trump made the remark jokingly during a speech.
No Plan to Claim Strait of Hormuz
The White House official said Trump had not held discussions with his advisers about declaring the Strait of Hormuz US territory.
The comments came after Trump publicly raised the idea during recent remarks.
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According to the official, Trump did not present the statement as a formal policy proposal.
Trump Had Announced Possible Move
Trump had earlier told Fox News that he would soon announce that the Strait of Hormuz would become US territory.
He also said the United States was preparing to increase economic pressure on Iran. The stated goal was to push Tehran toward ending the war.
The remarks drew attention because of the strategic importance of the waterway.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Vital to Global Energy
The Strait of Hormuz carries a major share of the world’s oil supplies. Therefore, any disruption could affect global energy markets.
Experts have warned that statements about the waterway could further increase regional tensions.
However, the latest White House comments indicate that Trump’s remarks did not reflect a formal plan discussed with his advisers.
