Trump Declares Strait of Hormuz ‘New US Territory’ Amid Iran Tensions

US President Donald Trump has declared the strategic Strait of Hormuz a “new US territory” in a social media post, escalating tensions over control of the key waterway amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Trump made the declaration on Tuesday through a post on Truth Social, where he shared a map of the Strait of Hormuz labelled “NEW U.S. Territory.” The same graphic was later shared by the official White House account on X.

The map highlighted the narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, with the “NEW U.S. Territory” label prominently displayed.

The development followed Trump’s recent remarks that he intended to declare the strait US territory after what he described as the defeat of Iran.

Speaking at a political rally in New York State on Friday, Trump said he would “be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States” after the US finished defeating Iran.

He described the proposal as a “great idea” and an “excellent idea,” pointing to the presence of US naval forces and the ongoing blockade in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, with roughly 20 per cent of global oil and gas supplies typically passing through the waterway.

The latest declaration comes amid an escalating standoff between Washington and Tehran over access to the strait. Trump has previously said the US maintains a blockade and that ships would only be allowed through with American approval.

Iranian officials, however, have rejected any suggestion that the United States could claim territorial control over the waterway.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf and other officials have maintained that the strait would remain closed or under Iranian authority until the United States lifts its blockade, eases related sanctions and fulfils other commitments.

Iran has also dismissed attempts to establish control over the strategic waterway through social media declarations or military assertions.