[UPDATED] Trump floats renaming Strait of Hormuz as 'Trump Strait'

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump proposed renaming the Strait of Hormuz as Trump Strait on Wednesday, despite escalating tensions with Iran. His statement was made on social media platform Truth Social, where he quipped, "Now that we have it under U.S.A. control, should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT???" The White House followed up with a map of the Gulf on social media, suggesting the alternative name and stating, "It's got a nice ring to it."

However, in a later press conference, Trump downplayed the notion, claiming it was just "thrown out there" for discussion. This suggested name change was part of a pattern of geographical alterations in Trump's second term, potentially aimed at provoking other nations. Throughout his presidency, Trump has altered the names of various international bodies of water, such as Lake Ontario to Lake America.

The ongoing Iran conflict, which began in late February, has resulted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway handling a fifth of the world's oil, due to Iran's retaliation against US-led strikes.