Trump again labels Strait of Hormuz as 'new US territory' on map

US President Donald Trump has again depicted the Strait of Hormuz as US territory, posting a map of the Middle East on his Truth Social account on Sunday (August 23).

The map shows the strategic waterway and surrounding areas circled and labelled "New US Territory."

However, Trump offered no explanation or comment alongside the post.

It was the second time in a week that Trump has shared a similar map. He posted an almost identical map on August 18, after suggesting in a speech in New York on August 14 that the United States could claim the strategically vital waterway as territory after defeating Iran.

Trump later made a more direct reference to the issue at a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday, saying he now considered the Strait of Hormuz "American territory" and claiming that the United States had full control over the waterway.

The comments come amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iran has repeatedly asserted its control over the strait, while the United States has stepped up economic pressure and naval measures against Tehran.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world's most important energy chokepoints. Before the outbreak of the current conflict, roughly one-fifth of global seaborne oil trade passed through the waterway. Commercial shipping has since dropped sharply amid heightened security risks.

Iran has recently allowed several Iraqi oil tankers to transit the strait under special arrangements, but broader commercial traffic remains severely disrupted.

Trump's latest move comes as prospects for a diplomatic settlement between Washington and Tehran remain uncertain. With tensions continuing and the US weighing further economic pressure, his repeated claims over Hormuz are likely to fuel concerns over regional security and the stability of global energy supplies.