US President Donald Trump said he views the Strait of Hormuz as “American territory” during a Friday rally in South Carolina, where he campaigned for Senate candidate Darlene Graham. His remarks came as a US military blockade of Iranian ships and ports was under way and his administration sought talks to end the continuing war with Iran.

Trump said he did not know whether “we have won” because he regarded the strait as US territory. He also raised the prospect of further attacks on Iran, asking whether he had to drop more bombs there. Graham is seeking to permanently fill the Senate seat previously held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham.

US Central Command said US forces had compelled 68 commercial vessels to alter course and comply with the blockade by Friday. No peace agreement has been reached nearly six months after the conflict began. The administration is restricting access to the strait, a key route for Iranian oil exports. Iran rejected Trump’s claim, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi calling it a “misconception.”