Former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that nations dependent on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz should "build up some delayed courage" and "just grab it." He made these remarks during a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on April 2, 2026.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil passes. The waterway is adjacent to Iran and has been a focal point of regional tensions.
Trump's comments were part of a broader speech criticizing current U.S. foreign policy. The remarks were widely reported by major news outlets following the event. There was no immediate indication from any nation of intent to act on the suggestion.
International law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, governs passage through such straits, and unilateral seizure would constitute a severe violation likely to provoke a major international crisis.
