NEWS
President Donald Trump Labels Strait of Hormuz as ‘New U.S. Territory’ in Latest Truth Social Post
United States President Donald J. Trump has sparked fresh international controversy after posting a map on his Truth Social platform labeling the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz as a new U.S. territory.
In the post published on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Trump shared an image depicting the Strait of Hormuz with the designation “New Territory of the United States,” without providing a detailed explanation of the territorial claim.
The development comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over control of the critical maritime passage, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serves as one of the world’s most important routes for energy shipments.
Trump had previously threatened to declare the waterway a U.S. territory, arguing that the United States had established effective control over the area through its military presence and naval blockade. His latest social media post appears to take that position a step further by portraying the strategic waterway as American territory.
The move is likely to intensify the already tense confrontation between the United States and Iran, particularly as diplomatic efforts remain stalled. Trump said Tuesday that there were no ongoing or scheduled talks with Tehran, while maintaining that the U.S. naval blockade remained in force.
The Strait of Hormuz is of enormous global strategic importance because of its role in the transportation of oil and other energy supplies. Any prolonged disruption or dispute over its control could have significant consequences for global energy markets, shipping and international trade.
Trump’s latest post therefore marks another dramatic escalation in the dispute over the waterway, with the United States now publicly portraying the Strait of Hormuz as a U.S. territory even as tensions with Iran continu
e to mount.