Trump Labels Strait of Hormuz 'New US Territory'; Iran Denounces Claim

The Trump administration indicates it favors economic warfare in its approach to the conflict with Iran, touting its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and previewing new sanctions.

President Donald Trump told Fox News on Monday he is not in a hurry for a solution, suggesting a longer-term squeeze. A 60-day memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the U.S. and Iran to lay groundwork for peace expired on Monday, with no replacement agreement. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Newsmax last week that new sanctions would be applied, forming a one-two punch with the U.S. blockade.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright claimed 30 vessels transited the strait clandestinely on Saturday, using military escorts. Kpler data reported 28 vessels transited in a three-day period between Friday and Sunday. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed on August 19, with Kpler data showing six commodity vessels crossed on August 18, down from nine a day earlier and below the 10-day daily average of 11.

On Tuesday, President Trump posted a map on Truth Social labeling the Strait of Hormuz "New U.S. Territory," echoing a claim he first floated last week. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, "We control it with the blockade, and I like the idea of declaring it a territory." Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded on X, warning Tehran would correct Trump's delusion.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, posted an image on X depicting the 7,000-mile distance between Washington and Hormuz, stating, "Some Dreams Are Too Far From Reality." Iran's key negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, denounced theater diplomacy last week, accusing the U.S. of issuing unacceptable ultimatums. Ghalibaf said on Tuesday the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the U.S. lifts its blockade, releases Iran's frozen assets, and removes sanctions.

Iran closed the strategic waterway after the U.S. and Israel launched a bombing campaign on February 28. The U.S. Navy declared its own blockade in April. The waterway handled a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the war.