Trump posts map calling Strait of Hormuz 'New US Territory'

US President Donald Trump has posted a map depicting the Strait of Hormuz as "New US Territory", escalating tensions with Iran as efforts to revive negotiations remain stalled.

In a post on Truth Social yesterday (18 August), Trump said there were no talks or scheduled discussions with Iran. He also claimed that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports remained "in full force and effect", while insisting that the strategic waterway was open to maritime traffic, according to  Al-Jazeera's report. 

"The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated," Trump wrote.

The post came a day after Trump claimed that Washington had been engaged in back-channel discussions with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian officials rejected that claim.

Trump's latest remarks also follow his repeated threats to take control of the Strait of Hormuz if Iran refuses to surrender.

Iran, meanwhile, has maintained that the waterway will remain closed until Washington meets conditions outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed in June. The demands include lifting the US blockade of Iranian ports and oil sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian assets, and ending US military operations and threats.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi appeared to mock Trump's map, saying his "delusion" regarding the Strait of Hormuz would either be corrected or "we will correct" it.

The dispute comes as Iran and Oman continue discussions over managing the strait. Qatar said mediators were waiting for an expected Iran-Oman agreement before pushing Washington and Tehran to resume negotiations.

A US official told Al Jazeera that "positive talks" with Iran had been taking place, but Trump had decided to pause negotiations until Tehran was ready to reach a deal.

Regional tensions remain high
The diplomatic standoff has been accompanied by continued military activity across the region.
The United Arab Emirates said its air defences detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran yesterday evening. The missiles reportedly fell into the sea, and UAE authorities said their forces remained on high alert.

Earlier the same day, eight air strikes hit the Abu al-Duhur military base in Syria's Idlib province, causing damage but no reported casualties.
US officials, along with other countries, have accused Israel of carrying out the strikes. US special envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack described the attack as "an unnecessary escalation" that did not advance regional stability.

The latest developments suggest that efforts to restore negotiations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz remain at an impasse, raising concerns that the wider conflict could continue to escalate.