Trump Posts Graphic Labeling Strait of Hormuz ‘New U.S. Territory’

President Donald Trump on Tuesday posted a graphic labeling the Strait of Hormuz “NEW U.S. Territory,” a day after saying he favored declaring the strategic waterway part of the United States.

The Truth Social post contained no caption. The red, white and blue graphic circles the strait on a map and displays “STRAIT OF HORMUZ” beneath it. The post itself offered no legal explanation, timetable or details about what a territorial declaration would involve.

Asked Monday about his earlier proposal to claim the waterway, Trump said, “I like the idea of declaring it a territory.” He argued that the U.S. naval blockade gave Washington control of the strait and added, “We have total control over the strait.” His remarks came during an Oval Office event recorded by the White House.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected Trump’s depiction Tuesday. In a post on X, he called it a “delusion” and said it would be corrected either by Trump or by Iran. Iran International reported that Gharibabadi was responding directly to the image.

Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. It is located between Iran and Oman. International Maritime Organization stated that the maritime corridor is being run in a joint capacity by both countries since 1968. The organization also stated that a strait of international navigation cannot be closed by the neighboring countries as per international law. The IMO has called freedom of navigation “not negotiable.”

In a June joint statement, Iran and Oman described themselves as the strait’s two coastal states and said any future navigation arrangements must respect their sovereignty and sovereign rights over their territorial waters. They also pledged to maintain the strait as a secure and open route for international shipping. Oman’s Foreign Ministry published the statement.

Negotiations between Iran and Oman over navigation arrangements have continued. Oman said Aug. 8 that the talks were progressing in a “positive and constructive atmosphere,” while urging all sides to avoid actions that could undermine them. The statement was issued by Oman’s Foreign Ministry.

Trump threatened Monday to bomb Oman if it interfered with U.S. plans involving the strait. Later, he told reporters that Oman had not behaved well but could be handled “very easily.” Reuters reported the remarks.

Parliament Speaker of Iran, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said on Tuesday that the strait would continue to remain closed until the United States fulfilled the demands of Tehran, which include ending its naval blockade and sanctions, releasing operations.

Prior to the disruption, oil shipments through Strait of Hormuz constituted 20 percent of global consumption of petroleum. Moreover, one fifth of the global

According to an estimate provided by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, oil and petroleum-liquid shipments through the strait averaged 4.9 million barrels per day in the second quarter of 2026. It fell from 21.6 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2025. The shipments are expected to remain severely restricted through August and prices will stay high until global flows and inventories rec er. This estimate was published on August 11.