Trump posts map labeling Strait of Hormuz 'new US territory'

President Donald Trump has intensified his claims over the Strait of Hormuz, posting a map on his Truth Social platform that labels the vital waterway as 'new US territory.' This action follows previous statements where Trump indicated his intention to declare the strait as US territory after the ongoing conflict with Iran concludes.

Iran has responded to Trump's provocations, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi dismissing the claim as a delusion and asserting that the strait will remain under Iranian command. The conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, has led to restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil transit, with only a dozen ships passing daily. This disruption has contributed to a surge in global fuel prices, with gasoline reaching a record high for mid-August.

Trump initially raised the idea of a US takeover of the strait on August 14, 2026, and reiterated his stance to reporters. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil transits, was an open international waterway before the current conflict. Iran has stated it will not reopen the strait until the US meets a list of demands, including ending port blockades, lifting sanctions, and paying war damages.