Trump marks Strait of Hormuz as ‘new U.S. territory’ in unexplained map

U.S. President Donald Trump marked the Strait of Hormuz as "New Territory of the United States" on a map he posted on Aug. 18 via his Truth Social account. The map highlighted the strategic waterway, situated between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, but Trump offered no explanation for his claim. A senior Iranian official informed Reuters on Aug.

17 that Iran was prepared to launch an offensive in the Strait of Hormuz after talks with Washington failed. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil shipping route, was blocked following the start of the U.S.-Iran conflict in late February, causing global oil prices to surge dramatically. Traffic resumed on June 18 after both nations agreed to a 60-day pause in hostilities, allowing the first tankers to pass through the region.

However, fighting reignited in early July, and Iran announced the closure of the strait once more. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Aug. 13 that the U.S. military possessed sufficient resources to sustain the naval blockade indefinitely. Ships could rotate through the area as required, he added. On Aug. 14, Trump announced his intention to declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory once the war concluded, asserting that the U.S. had already imposed a blockade and would not permit ships to navigate the waterway without American approval.

Iran routinely attacks vessels attempting to cross the strait without its permission, prompting the U.S. to retaliate with strikes on Iranian military installations. In early August, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, declared that Tehran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz only if several conditions were met.