US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called the Strait of Hormuz “new territory of the United States”. He posted a corresponding image on his social network Truth Social.
The image showed a map of the strait separating the Persian and Oman gulfs. The Strait of Hormuz was marked with a circle, and next to it was the inscription “NEW Territory of the United States”, accompanied by a blue‑red‑white stripe with stars.
Last Friday, Donald Trump said he planned to declare the Strait of Hormuz “territory of the United States” after a “victory over Iran”. The remark heightened rhetoric against Tehran, as negotiations have stalled and the cease‑fire agreement signed in June has already expired.
Statements about control over the strait
“After we finish defeating Iran, which will suffer a crushing defeat, very soon I will actually declare the Strait of Hormuz territory of the United States. We have a blockade. No ship will pass if we do not want it to,” the Republican said at a rally in Long Island (New York).
A few days earlier, the American leader had already suggested that the United States would “keep it for itself”, claiming the U.S. already controls the sea route because American attacks since February have seriously weakened Iran’s military capabilities. Tehran rejected the claim.
Last Wednesday, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: “The United States fully controls the Strait of Hormuz. I think we will keep it for ourselves!” He added that “Iran can do nothing about it.”
On Monday, the 60‑day period set by the United States and Iran when signing the memorandum of understanding on June 17 expired. The memorandum called for an “immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts” as part of the process to end the war in the Middle East.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s main routes for transporting oil and gas and has become a key flashpoint in the conflict between Washington and Tehran.
Source: El País
