President Donald Trump posted a map on Truth Social labeling the Strait of Hormuz as "new US territory," drawing criticism from Iranian officials.

US President Donald Trump posted an image on his Truth Social platform featuring a map of the Strait of Hormuz captioned "NEW U.S. Territory." The post, which included a band in the colors of the American flag, circled the waterway and a portion of mainland Iranian territory. This action follows previous remarks by the president regarding his intent to declare the strategic corridor a US territory.

Context of the Territorial Claim

The president previously discussed the idea at a rally in Long Island, where he stated he would declare the strait a US territory after defeating Iran. During that event, he asserted that no ships would pass through the blockade without authorization. While a White House official previously characterized a similar statement made by Trump in New Jersey as a joke, the recent social media post was accompanied by a message stating that a naval blockade remains in full force and effect.

Regional Reactions and Current Status

Iranian officials have dismissed the claim, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stating on X that the strait cannot be seized by tweet, aircraft carrier, or executive order. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a merchant vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile in Omani waters of the strait. While the president maintains that the strait is open and that water mines have been cleared, commercial traffic remains significantly lower than levels seen before the conflict began on February 28.