Trump Again Claims Strait of Hormuz as ‘US Territory’

US President Donald Trump has again shared a map of the Strait of Hormuz on social media, appearing to describe the important waterway as “new US territory.”

Trump posted the map on his social media platform, Truth Social. The image showed the Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, marked with a circle and the words “New US Territory.”

Trump did not add a caption to the post, but the image reflects his repeated comments about wanting greater US control over the strategic waterway.

A day earlier, Trump had supported the idea of declaring the Strait of Hormuz US territory, calling it “a great idea.”

Last week, when journalists asked Trump what he meant by saying that the Strait of Hormuz should become US territory, he said that the US controls it.

Trump has also said that after defeating Iran, the United States could declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory.

Who Controls the Strait of Hormuz?

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the US “owns” the Strait of Hormuz. However, maritime law experts say the situation is much more complicated.

The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. It is about 50 kilometres wide, with Iran to the north and Oman to the south.

Parts of the waterway fall within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman. Experts say neither Iran nor the United States can simply claim complete legal ownership of the entire strait.

International maritime law also provides rights for ships to pass through the waterway.

Presidential Order Cannot Make It US Territory

Maritime law experts say a US president cannot make the Strait of Hormuz American territory simply by making a declaration or issuing an order.

Professor Jason Chuah of City, University of London, said adding new territory to a country would require constitutional and legal procedures. Under international law, the unilateral annexation of territory would also raise serious legal issues.

He said the legal transfer of territory or maritime areas would require the consent of the relevant state.

Professor Simon Baughen of Swansea University also said that Iran would have to agree to transfer its territorial waters for the US to legally claim such an area, something that appears highly unlikely under the current circumstances.

Military Control Does Not Mean Ownership

Experts have also rejected the idea that military control of the Strait of Hormuz would prove US ownership.

Chuah said a country can exercise military control over a waterway without gaining legal ownership of it.

He explained that naval forces can control access to a waterway in certain circumstances, but military control does not automatically change legal ownership.

According to the experts, the Strait of Hormuz operates within an international maritime legal framework where freedom of navigation and the rights of ships are important principles.

Toll Proposal Could Also Create Legal Issues

Professor Baughen said another possible scenario could involve the US, Iran and Oman reaching an agreement to reopen the waterway and charge fees or tolls to ships passing through it.

However, he said such an arrangement could also raise legal questions under international maritime law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes, connecting major oil-producing countries in the Persian Gulf with global markets.

Because of its importance, the ongoing US-Iran tensions and uncertainty over the waterway continue to affect global energy markets.