Natalie Klein

“Essentially the only way Trump’s claim could have any plausibility under international law would be if the US was asserting control over the Strait as an occupying power perhaps comparable to the authority the US exercised over Japan immediately after World War II.”

Natalie Klein · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-16

Klein explained the only scenario in which Trump's claim might have legal plausibility.

“But in that scenario, the US would need to have military control over Iran or at least its coastal areas.”

Natalie Klein · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-16

Klein said such an occupation scenario would require US military control over Iran or its coastal areas.