Trump publishes map showing the Strait of Hormuz as "US territory"
US President Donald Trump has published a map designating the Strait of Hormuz as a “new US territory”. The American leader posted the image on August 18 on his social network Truth Social.
The published map highlights the strategically important sea lane between Iran and Oman with the caption “New US Territory”.
Trump himself did not clarify in the post whether the image represents an official territorial claim by Washington or a political demonstration amid the ongoing standoff with Iran.
Trump has already spoken about “US territory”
The new post appeared several days after Trump publicly stated his intention to declare the Strait of Hormuz as United States territory.
During a speech on August 14 in New York, the American president said that after a “victory over Iran” he could declare the strait US territory. Later, a White House representative, commenting on those words to American media, claimed that the president was joking.
However, on August 18, Trump again returned to the topic, this time publishing a map directly designating the strait as new American territory.
The Strait of Hormuz is vital for the oil market
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is one of the most important routes for world oil and gas trade. Under normal conditions, a significant portion of seaborne oil shipments passes through it.
In recent months, the strait has become one of the central elements of the US–Iran standoff. Trump has previously repeatedly stated that Washington controls shipping in the area, and in July called the US the “keeper” of the Strait of Hormuz.
At the same time, the actual shipping situation remains tense: the movement of commercial vessels through the strait has substantially decreased due to military risks.
On the same day, August 18, Trump said that the United States is not currently negotiating with Iran and no new talks are planned.
Based on materials from: Donald Trump, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal
