Trump posts map labeling Strait of Hormuz as US territory

US President Donald Trump has posted a map depicting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz as US territory, escalating his rhetoric over control of the key waterway amid tensions with Iran.

The map, shared by Trump on social media on Tuesday (August 18), places a circle around the Strait of Hormuz and labels it "New American Territory."

In a separate post the same day, Trump said the United States was not negotiating with Iran and had no plans to do so. He also claimed that a naval blockade was fully in effect and that shipping was moving normally through the strait because it remained open. Trump further claimed that all mines in the waterway had been removed or neutralised.

The posts came after Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the strait would remain closed until the United States met Tehran’s conditions for an agreement, according to Iranian state media.

Ghalibaf listed the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports, removal of oil sanctions, release of frozen Iranian funds and an end to military operations and threats on all fronts among the conditions.

Trump first publicly floated the idea of taking control of the Strait of Hormuz last Friday, saying it could soon be declared US territory. Iran responded that the waterway would remain under Iranian control.

Trump has previously made territorial expansion proposals involving other countries and regions. Since returning to office for a second term, he has repeatedly suggested making Canada the 51st US state, taking control of Greenland and assuming control of the Gaza Strip. None of those proposals has materialised.