Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Trump Again Shares Hormuz Map Labeling Strait New US Territory
Donald Trump shared a map calling the Strait of Hormuz “NEW US Territory.”
He had first discussed declaring the waterway a US territory on August 14.
Iran rejected the idea and said the strait would stay closed unless the United States changed its approach.
The United States is also preparing new sanctions against Iran.
Iran says these sanctions are not supported by international law.
Iranian officials warned nearby countries not to help the United States pressure Tehran.
The dispute has disrupted ships carrying oil and gas.
Iran’s president has also called for diplomacy while protecting the country’s strength and dignity.
Donald Trump again shared a map labeling the Strait of Hormuz “NEW US Territory.”
Trump first said on August 14 that he might declare the waterway a US territory.
Iran rejected the claim and said the strait would remain closed unless Washington changed its policy.
The United States is preparing new sanctions against Iran, which Scott Bessent called potentially “the toughest sanctions in history.”
Iran warned regional countries against supporting Washington, while disruptions threatened oil, gas and global shipping flows.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Iranian officials Mohsen Rezaei and Esmaeil Baghaei, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
- What
- Trump renewed his claim by sharing a map labeling the Strait of Hormuz US territory, while Iran rejected the claim and opposed planned sanctions.
- When
- Trump made the original statement on August 14, first shared the map on August 18, and shared it again on Sunday; Baghaei criticized the sanctions on August 22.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea; Trump made his original remarks at a police academy on Long Island.
- Why
- The confrontation involves control and reopening of the strait, US economic pressure on Iran, and Iranian oil shipments.
Iran’s Position
United States Position
Control of the Strait
Iran’s Position
Iran rejects Trump’s territorial claim and says the strait will remain closed unless the United States changes its policy.
United States Position
Trump said he would soon declare the strategic waterway a US territory and shared a map using that label.
Economic sanctions
Iran’s Position
Iran condemns the planned sanctions, arguing that secondary sanctions lack a basis in international law and could harm Iran and its trading partners.
United States Position
The United States is preparing sanctions to increase pressure on Tehran and reduce revenue from Iranian oil exports; Bessent described them as potentially the toughest sanctions in history.
Regional and diplomatic response
Iran’s Position
Rezaei warned nearby countries against joining the US economic campaign, while Pezeshkian called for diplomacy that preserves Iran’s strength and dignity.
United States Position
Trump urged foreign governments not to provide Iran a lifeline and said Tehran must accept what Washington considers the right deal.
- Map label
- The image shared by Trump called the Strait of Hormuz “NEW US Territory.”
- Trump’s statement
- On August 14, Trump said he would soon declare the strait a territory of the United States.
- Iran’s position
- Iran said the passage would remain closed unless the United States changed its policy toward Tehran.
- Planned sanctions
- Washington is preparing additional economic measures aimed at Iran and its oil revenue.
- US Treasury description
- Scott Bessent characterized the planned measures as “the toughest sanctions in history.”
- Iranian objection
- Esmaeil Baghaei said secondary sanctions have no foundation in international law.
- Energy disruption
- Shipping through the strait remains below normal, affecting crude oil and liquefied natural gas movements.
- Regional impact
- Iran warned that the measures could affect China, a major buyer of Iranian crude, and other trade partners.
