US President Donald Trump has intensified his standoff with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, posting a map on Truth Social that described the strategically important waterway as “new US territory”. The move came as Tehran maintained that the strait would remain closed until Washington fulfils a set of commitments that Iran says were agreed under an interim peace arrangement.
The provocative map followed Trump’s claim that the US had “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for global energy shipments. His remarks add a territorial dimension to the growing dispute over control of the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Trump’s comments about Hormuz have gone beyond an isolated threat. He has repeatedly suggested that the waterway could be declared US territory. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he reiterated his support for the idea, arguing that the US already controlled the strait through its blockade of Iran.
“I think it's a great idea. I mean, we control it with the blockade. I like the idea of declaring it a territory. We have total control over the Strait,” Trump said.
He had first raised the possibility on Friday, when he said that after the war with Iran, he would consider declaring the Strait of Hormuz US territory.
Iran, however, has indicated that it does not intend to immediately restore unrestricted commercial traffic through the passage.
IRAN SAYS HORMUZ WILL STAY CLOSED
Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the US meets commitments that Tehran says were included in a memorandum of understanding between the two countries.
“I want to state clearly that the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until the American commitments stipulated in the memorandum of understanding are implemented,” Ghalibaf said in remarks broadcast on Iranian state television.
According to Ghalibaf, Tehran is seeking the removal of the US naval blockade, an end to oil sanctions and the release of Iranian assets frozen overseas.
Iran claims these commitments were part of a US-Iran truce reached in June. That arrangement subsequently broke down, leaving the two countries embroiled in a confrontation that has now extended into one of the world’s most crucial maritime corridors.
TRUMP'S MAP ESCALATES THE DISPUTE
Trump’s decision to depict the Strait of Hormuz as US territory could further inflame tensions with Iran, particularly as both sides continue to dispute sovereignty, navigation rights and military control over the waterway.
Although relatively narrow, the Strait of Hormuz is critical to global energy trade. It links the oil-rich Persian Gulf with international shipping routes beyond the Gulf of Oman, meaning a prolonged disruption could affect energy markets and countries that rely heavily on Gulf oil exports.
Iran has maintained control over navigation through the strait since the conflict began, requiring vessels to obtain permission and pay transit-related charges. The US and several regional countries have rejected the arrangement.
Iran and Oman, which both border the waterway, have also been discussing how navigation should function. Tehran said on Monday that the talks were continuing seriously, with both sides exchanging views on the wording of a proposed joint statement. Iran also said the geographic coordinates for a navigation route agreed upon by the two countries had been finalised.
TENSIONS GROW AFTER VESSEL IS HIT
The maritime confrontation escalated further on Tuesday after an “unknown projectile” struck a vessel travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency.
The agency said the impact damaged the vessel’s engine room and resulted in one crew member becoming a casualty, while the remaining crew were assisted by the Omani Coast Guard.
Iran has effectively restricted commercial traffic through the strait and has faced accusations of attacking commercial vessels and attempting to impose charges on ships using the route. Washington has strongly opposed the restrictions and continued to demand freedom of navigation.
The competing claims over the strategically vital waterway have made the Strait of Hormuz one of the most significant flashpoints in the broader US-Iran confrontation.
