Tehran: The US-Iran conflict just got escalated after President Donald Trump claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is now part of US territory.
The US President posted a map of Strait of Hormuz on his social media platform Truth Social with a headline stating ‘New US Territory’.
Tehran was unfazed, insisting that the strait will remain closed until Washington meets a series of commitments made under an interim peace deal.
The provocative map was shared on Truth Social after Trump claimed that the United States had “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important waterway for energy shipments.
Having repeatedly floated the idea of declaring Hormuz as US territory earlier, Trump on Monday reiterated that he favoured declaring the strait American territory.
“I think it’s a great idea. I mean, we control it with the blockade. I like the idea of declaring it a territory. We have total control over the Strait,” Trump said.
Hours later came Trump’s post with the Hormuz map.
After that, Trump claimed that the US Naval blockade is still there.
“There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated,” Trump wrote in another Truth Social post.
Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Hormuz will remain shut until the US fulfils all commitments made to Tehran.
“I want to state clearly that the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until the American commitments stipulated in the memorandum of understanding are implemented,” Ghalibaf said in a speech broadcast on Iranian state television.
Ghalibaf reiterated that Tehran wants the US naval blockade lifted, oil sanctions removed and Iranian assets held overseas unfrozen, maintaining that those commitments were included in a truce reached in June.
