Trump posts map showing Strait of Hormuz as US territory

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday posted a map on his Truth Social platform showing the Strait of Hormuz as "NEW U.S. Territory," pressing his threat to claim sovereignty over the vital waterway.

Iran has effectively shut down the chokepoint since the war Trump started with Israel in late February.

Why did Trump post a map of the Strait of Hormuz?

Trump posted the map to reinforce his claim that the Strait of Hormuz should belong to the United States, after floating the idea verbally days earlier. The chokepoint normally carries a fifth of the world's oil, and Iran has kept it effectively closed in retaliation for the war.

Trump first raised the idea of a US takeover on Friday, saying in a jovial tone that he would soon declare it US territory. Iran responded that the strait "will remain Iranian." He revisited the idea Monday in comments to reporters in the Oval Office, suggesting it would be a good idea.

Has Trump made similar territorial claims before?

This is not the first time Trump, faced with a foreign policy obstacle, has threatened to annex foreign territory. Since returning to power in 2025, he has threatened to make Canada the 51st US state, seize Greenland, and alluded to taking control of the Gaza Strip, without following through on any of these threats.

Before the Iran war erupted on February 28, the Strait of Hormuz was an open, international waterway.

What does Iran want before it reopens the strait?

Iran says it will not reopen the strait until the United States meets a sweeping list of demands. These include ending the US blockade of Iran's ports, lifting oil sanctions, freeing up frozen Iranian assets and paying war damages.