Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Trump Labels Strait of Hormuz 'New US Territory' in Post
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow strip of water between Iran and Oman where big ships carry oil to countries around the world.
The US President, Donald Trump, posted a map on an app called Truth Social that calls the strait 'new US territory.'
That would mean the United States is saying it owns the waterway.
A few days earlier, Trump shared a made-up picture of himself with US soldiers next to an Iranian ship, with the words "It's Our Oil Tanker Now!"
Trump had already talked about making the strait US territory at a rally and says the US has 'total control' over it.
Iran is not happy about this and says the claims are wrong.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said only Iran can decide whether the strait is open or closed.
The argument is happening while a US-Iran agreement expired and a ship was hit by something as it traveled through the waterway.
Both countries are having a big fight over this important oil route.
US President Donald Trump posted a map on Truth Social labeling the Strait of Hormuz as 'new US territory.'
Days earlier, he shared an AI-generated image of himself with US troops captioned "It's Our Oil Tanker Now!" amid the alleged seizure of an Iranian-flagged tanker.
Trump, who claims 'total control' over the waterway, first proposed declaring the strait US territory at a Republican rally in Long Island.
Iran rejected the claims, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi saying the strait will be opened and closed only under Iran's command.
The move came after a US-Iran MoU expired and reports that Iran fired on a commercial vessel in the strait, a major route for global oil shipments.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump and Iranian officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi
- What
- Trump posted a map on Truth Social labeling the Strait of Hormuz as 'new US territory,' a claim Iran strongly rejected
- When
- In recent days; Trump first suggested declaring the strait US territory on Friday at a Republican rally in Long Island and repeated the idea on Monday
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and Oman
- Why
- Amid heightened US-Iran tensions, including the expiry of a US-Iran MoU and reports that Iran fired on a commercial vessel in the waterway
US Stance
Iranian Stance
Sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz
US Stance
Trump labels the strait 'new US territory,' claims 'total control' over the waterway, and says he likes the idea of declaring it a US territory.
Iranian Stance
Iran rejects the claim; Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the strait will be opened and closed only under Iran's command.
Reopening the waterway
US Stance
The US enforces a blockade and Trump says Washington already controls the strait through it.
Iranian Stance
Iran refuses to reopen the strait until Washington meets conditions Tehran says were agreed under an earlier US-Iran understanding, and will keep enforcing its blockade until an acceptance of defeat and an end to 'delusions.'
- Key Figure (US)
- President Donald Trump
- Key Figure (Iran)
- Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi
- Location
- Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and Oman
- Platform Used
- Truth Social
- Trump's Post
- Map labeling the waterway as 'New U.S. Territory'
- Earlier Post
- AI-generated image captioned "It's Our Oil Tanker Now!"
- Significance
- One of the world's most important energy routes
- Context
- US-Iran MoU expired a day before the post; a vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile
Sources
Trump labels Strait of Hormuz 'new US territory' as Iran refuses to reopen waterway
US President Donald Trump Posts Image On Truth Social Labeling Strait Of Hormuz As ‘New Territory’
US President Donald Trump Posts Image On Truth Social Labeling Strait Of Hormuz As ‘New Territory’
