US President Donald Trump has labelled the Strait of Hormuz "Trump Strait" on a map shared on Truth Social, days after turning down Tehran's proposal to reopen the waterway within a week.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said normal maritime passage through the strait could be restored within seven days if Washington accepted Tehran's conditions. Under the proposal, the US would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waive sanctions on Iranian oil exports, and observe a ceasefire extending to Lebanon.
Also read: Iran awaits US response on Strait of Hormuz plan after Trump reportedly rejects deal
"If the necessary conditions are met, the strait can be reopened, a normal maritime passage restored within seven days. The choice now rests with the United States," Araghchi said, adding that the seven-day timeline would begin as soon as Washington accepted the plan.
Trump, however, has expressed scepticism that Iran will meet US demands and reiterated that Tehran will never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. He also indicated that a fresh round of American air strikes on Iranian targets remains a possibility.
This is not the first time Trump has floated US control over the Strait of Hormuz. In August, he shared a map suggesting the waterway could become "new US territory," arguing that Washington already controlled it through its naval blockade.
"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 had said, adding that while Iran could disrupt shipping by planting mines, the US blockade had proved effective.
Also read: Trump rejects Iran’s 7-day ceasefire proposal, expects bombing to resume after US midterms: Report
The strait remains central to Iran's leverage in its standoff with Washington. Before the conflict escalated, close to a fifth of the world's traded oil and gas moved through the waterway, and continued disruptions have rattled energy markets and added pressure on the Trump administration ahead of the US midterm elections.
Tehran's offer directly ties the reopening of the strait to an end to the US blockade, sanctions relief, and a renewed diplomatic push on its nuclear programme.
