Donald Trump Reshares ‘NEW US Territory’ Graphic of Strait of Hormuz as Tensions With Iran Escalate

Geopolitical friction between Washington and Tehran intensified on Sunday after U.S. President Donald Trump reshared a graphic on Truth Social portraying the vital Strait of Hormuz as "NEW U.S. Territory." The post coincides with Tehran’s declaration that the crucial maritime corridor will remain closed to unauthorized commercial shipping until the United States changes its foreign policy stance.

The graphic, which circles the narrow channel and labels it American domain, was previously posted by Trump on August 18 following remarks he made during an August 14 address to a police academy gathering on Long Island. In that speech, Trump floated the prospect of claiming jurisdiction over the international waterway to assert control over regional shipping lanes. Donald Trump Posts AI Image Calling Strait of Hormuz ‘NEW US Territory’ Amid Iran Tensions.

Iranian officials quickly rejected Washington's territorial claims. Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, dismissed the assertion as unfeasible. He noted that the distance between America’s ability to force open the passage and its claims of ownership exceeds the 7,000-mile physical gap between Washington and the Persian Gulf, welcoming the U.S. to what he characterized as a "post-American order."

The rhetoric unfolds alongside new economic pressure campaigns from Washington. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is preparing to unveil additional financial sanctions against Tehran, describing them as some of the strictest to date. The administration has also called on international buyers, including China, to halt imports of Iranian crude oil to isolate Tehran’s primary revenue streams.

In response, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denounced the upcoming secondary sanctions on social media, asserting that extra-territorial economic restrictions lack foundation under international law. Simultaneously, Rezaei cautioned neighboring countries against assisting U.S. economic measures, warning that participating states would be regarded as adversaries. ‘We Will Strike Their Interests’: Iran Warns Countries Joining US Economic War, Threatens Hormuz Oil Blockade.

Trump Claims Strait of Hormuz as 'US Territory'

Despite the standoff, diplomatic avenues have not been completely shut down. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed an openness to negotiations, stating that Tehran aims to resolve conflicts while maintaining national sovereignty. However, with Washington pushing strict economic measures and Tehran keeping the transit route restricted, the Strait of Hormuz remains a central flashpoint for global energy markets.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 23, 2026 09:04 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).