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U.S. President Donald Trump / Yonhap News

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is "U.S. territory." Regarding Iran, he said it desperately wants a deal with the U.S.

In a speech in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on August 21 (local time), President Trump said, "Iran wants to make a deal desperately, but I don't even know if we want to make a deal, because right now, I view the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory." He then reiterated, "It is U.S. territory."

President Trump also stated on August 14 that "we will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory." These remarks are viewed as further reinforcing his previous assertions that the U.S. effectively controls the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump visited the area to support candidate Darlene Graham ahead of the Republican primary runoff on August 25 to nominate a candidate for the U.S. Senate from South Carolina. Candidate Graham is the younger sister of the late former U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who was one of President Trump's closest confidants.

In his speech that day, President Trump appealed for support for the Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections in November. He urged, "If the name 'Trump' is not on the ballot, what I really ask of you is to come out and vote thinking as though I am on the ballot."

He also claimed that impeachment proceedings would be launched against him if Republicans lose the midterm elections. He stated that if the GOP loses, "you will lose everything, and I will have to go through an impeachment." He further claimed that border security and tax cuts would disappear, and companies would leave for other countries.

Lashing out at the Democratic Party, he denounced them as "crazy people" and "vicious and violent people." He added, "We will crush radical Democrats at the polls this November and root out communism in the U.S. once and for all."

                                                                                                           Jang Ji-young