Trump Claims Strait of Hormuz as 'US Territory', Iran Refuses to Reopen Waterway

US President Donald Trump has reiterated his claim that the Strait of Hormuz is 'American territory', despite Iran's refusal to reopen the waterway. In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared an image showing the strait marked as 'NEW US Territory' and claimed it is 'an American territory'.

The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman and is one of the world's most important energy routes. Before the conflict began on February 28, nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the waterway.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei said the strait 'is closed and will not reopen' unless the United States changes its behavior and fulfills its commitments. He added that if the US acts, 'the equation will be different'. However, shipping traffic through the strait has increased in recent days, with nearly 200 ships crossing last week.

The US Central Command has assisted about 1,300 commercial vessels in transiting the Strait of Hormuz since early May. Over 660 million barrels of crude oil have reportedly moved through the waterway during that period. Trump's claim does not change the strait's legal status as an international waterway.