Donald Trump claims Strait of Hormuz as new U.S. territory

President Donald Trump has sparked international tension by claiming the Strait of Hormuz as ‘new’ United States territory. In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared a map depicting the strategic maritime passage—critical for global oil and gas transit—alongside other U.S. territories.

While the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) announced the strait is open following U.S. mine clearance operations, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that a naval blockade remains in effect and that the U.S. essentially controls the waterway. The administration is also moving forward with ‘Economic Pariah,’ an operation designed to increase economic pressure on Iran by sanctioning those who trade with the nation.

Iran has responded sharply to the territorial claim, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Qaribabadi using derogatory language to describe the President's mental state. Tehran has also denounced the proposed U.S. sanctions as ‘completely illegal and unjustified,’ asserting they violate the United Nations Charter and international law. Iran maintains it will not reopen the waterway until the U.S. fulfills commitments made in a June 17 memorandum of understanding.