President Donald Trump has declared the Strait of Hormuz a “new US territory” in a social media post, escalating his comments over control of the strategic waterway amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
On Tuesday, Trump released a map graphic on Truth Social, his own social media platform, labeling the Strait of Hormuz as a “New U.S. Territory.”
The official White House account also uploaded the identical graphic on X.
The graphic depicts a blue-highlighted depiction of the strait connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, with a circle around the small passage and the words “New U.S. Territory” clearly displayed.
The development comes after Trump stated that if Iran is defeated, he will declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory.
On Friday, Trump said at a political rally in New York State, “After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated — pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States.”
“It’s true,” he added.
Trump also referred to the notion as “a great idea” and “an excellent idea,” emphasizing the US Navy presence and embargo in the area.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most vital energy chokepoints, transporting around 20% of global oil and gas.
The latest event occurs amid an ongoing dispute between the United States and Iran over the waterway, with Iran blocking access to much of the strait and the US Navy maintaining a blockade of Iranian ports.
Trump had previously said, “We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to.”
Iranian officials have denied assertions of US territorial control.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf and other officials have declared that the strait will remain blocked or under Iranian control until the United States lifts the blockade, relaxes accompanying sanctions, and fulfills other pledges.
Iranian officials have rebuffed attempts to claim the waterway via social media posts or military assertions.
