Trump Claims Hormuz for US, Iran Pushes Back, Bessent Threatens New Economic War

President Donald Trump says the United States will claim the Strait of Hormuz as American territory after the war with Iran — a remarkable declaration that Tehran has immediately rejected.

In this episode of Epic Fury: The US-Iran War Podcast, we examine Trump's latest escalation, Iran's response, and the growing confrontation over who controls the world's most strategically important oil chokepoint.

We also cover:

• Trump's Hormuz declaration and what it could mean for US policy and international maritime law.
• Iran's rejection of America's claim and Tehran's insistence that the strait remains under Iranian control.
• Two ADNOC vessels attacked, bringing commercial shipping through Hormuz closer to a standstill.
• Scott Bessent's new economic offensive, with the Treasury Secretary promising unprecedented measures against Iran.
• The US naval blockade, which Washington says it can maintain indefinitely.
• USS Abraham Lincoln's record deployment and the arrival of the USS George Washington.
• New diplomatic efforts involving Austria, Greece, Oman, Pakistan, Iraq and other countries.
• Oil prices and the global supply threat, as Brent crude moves back above $88 a barrel.
• Iraq's September 30 militia deadline and the risk of another confrontation.
• Gaza's stalled disarmament plan and renewed diplomatic efforts in Israel and Cairo.

With the Strait of Hormuz still effectively paralysed, the US blockade continuing and Iran refusing to back down, the central question is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid:

Who actually controls Hormuz — and how far is Washington prepared to go to prove it?

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This episode is based on reporting and information available as of August 15, 2026.