Speaking at a political rally in New York state on Friday, Trump said the United States would soon impose measures on Iran that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had described a day earlier as unprecedented, according to media reports.

"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," Trump said, though it remained unclear whether the remark represented a serious policy proposal.

Iran rejected the threat. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran would not be intimidated and insisted that control over the strategic waterway remained with Iran.

The comments came as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a major global energy route, fell sharply. Media reports said only a handful of vessels were recorded passing through the waterway on Friday, with no crude oil shipments visible.

The Strait normally handles about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making prolonged disruption a major concern for energy markets. Brent crude has approached $90 a barrel, while US gasoline prices have risen to around $4 per gallon.

Trump has urged Americans to accept higher fuel prices, saying the cost was necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Meanwhile, US media have reported concerns over the welfare of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed for about nine months. Trump said the carrier would soon be replaced by another ship.