US President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP

President Donald Trump on Friday said he would “soon” declare the Strait of Hormuz waterway part of US territory after defeating Iran.

“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,” he said with a chuckle during a political rally at a police academy in New York state.

“It’s true,” he added.

Trump, together with Israel, launched a war against Iran on February 28 with the stated aims of ending the country’s controversial nuclear program and sparking a popular uprising. Related News UAE condemns attack on two vessels in Hormuz strait Tinubu vs EFCC, Trump vs US Attorney Osun poll: Edo govt knocks Davido over call for Donald Trump’s intervention