WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has posted a map on Truth Social depicting the strategically important Strait of Hormuz as “New US Territory,” escalating his rhetoric over control of the vital waterway.
The map highlights the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic maritime passage between Iran and Oman, with the words “NEW U.S. Territory” displayed prominently over the area.
Trump’s post came a day after he said in the Oval Office that declaring the strait a US territory was a “great idea.” Asked what he meant by his earlier comments about making the waterway US territory, Trump said the United States had control of it through a blockade.
“We completely control the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said, according to reports, adding that he liked the idea of formally declaring it US territory.
The development comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over the strategic waterway. Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States meets conditions under an interim agreement, including lifting its blockade of Iranian ports and ending military threats and operations.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes for energy supplies, making the dispute over its control a major geopolitical and economic concern.
