US President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric by posting a map on Truth Social depicting the Strait of Hormuz as 'NEW US Territory', intensifying tensions with Iran over the strategically critical waterway.
President Donald Trump shared a map on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday labeling the Strait of Hormuz as 'NEW US Territory', furthering threats he made earlier in the week regarding potential US sovereignty over the vital shipping channel. The announcement marks an intensification of rhetoric around the waterway, which sees approximately one-fifth of global oil transit annually.
Trump first introduced the concept on Friday, speaking in measured tones about declaring the strait as US territory in the near future. He reiterated the position on Monday during remarks to reporters at the Oval House, characterizing such a move as advantageous. Iran has responded firmly to these statements, asserting that the waterway will remain under Iranian control.
The strategic waterway has become a focal point of US-Iran tensions following military escalations that began in late February. According to reporting, Iran has effectively restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz in response to what sources characterize as a war initiated by Trump in coordination with Israel. Iran has indicated the strait will remain closed until the United States fulfills multiple conditions, including ending its naval blockade of Iranian ports, removing oil sanctions, unfreezing Iranian assets, and providing compensation for wartime damages.
Before the February conflict commenced, the Strait of Hormuz functioned as an internationally recognized shipping route. This represents not the first instance of Trump proposing territorial expansion; since returning to office in 2025, he has suggested making Canada a US state, acquiring Greenland, and taking control of the Gaza Strip, though none of these proposals have been implemented.
