Trump shares image depicting Hormuz as 'US territory'

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday shared an image on his social media account depicting the Strait of Hormuz as American territory, labeling the strategic waterway "New US Territory." The post echoed remarks he delivered on August 14, when he claimed the US Navy was enforcing a complete blockade of the channel.

"After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States," Trump said. In a separate post, he stated that Washington had "total control" over the strait and expressed confidence that the US could maintain that dominance.

Iranian position

Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted that the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen unless the United States ends its military intervention and naval blockade while fulfilling the terms of an agreement signed between Tehran and Washington on June 17. The conditions link any normalization of maritime traffic to a cessation of American hostilities.

Trump's August 14 remarks came amid ongoing tensions over the waterway, which serves as a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. The US president has characterized the military campaign against Iran as nearing its conclusion while asserting expanded territorial claims over the strategic passage.