President Donald Trump told a crowd in Myrtle Beach that the United States now treats the Strait of Hormuz as American territory and that 68 commercial vessels have been rerouted under a U.S. blockade, a move that adds geopolitical risk to oil markets as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
The rally on Aug. 21‑22 promoted Darline Graham, sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, as the Republican nominee for the vacant Senate seat after she faltered on a Taiwan‑security question. Trump praised her “honest” answer, reiterated his “total control” claim over the strait, and joked about bombing Iran while the blockade forced the vessel diversion.
Analysts note that the strait carries roughly one‑fifth of global seaborne oil; the diversion of 68 ships could tighten supplies and lift crude prices, while heightened US‑Iran tension may boost defense‑sector earnings. The endorsement also tests Trump’s sway over GOP primaries, a factor investors watch for political‑risk premiums in US equities.
The political story emphasizes domestic GOP dynamics, whereas the geopolitical pieces stress the legal and strategic implications of declaring the strait a U.S. territory; no consensus exists on whether the blockade or a formal annexation will be pursued, leaving the exact impact on shipping and international law unresolved.