The President of the United States, Donald Trump, once again raised tension around the Strait of Hormuz by publishing, this Tuesday (18), an image that presents the strategic maritime route as a new North American territory.
Trump publishes map showing Strait of Hormuz as US territory
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, once again raised tension around the Strait of Hormuz by publishing, this Tuesday (18), an image that presents the strategic maritime route as a new North American territory. The map shared...
Trump did not add any text to the publication. The post came just days after the Republican publicly stated that he intended to declare the area a United States territory.
- [Caption]© Truth Social On Friday (14), Trump had already mentioned that he would make the statement “soon”.
- On Monday (17), when talking to journalists in the Oval Office of the White House, he returned to the subject and said he liked the idea of ??transforming the strait into North American...
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The map shared on Truth Social highlights the strait with a circle and bears the inscription “New US Territory”, or “New US Territory”, in free translation. Trump did not add any text to the publication. The post came just days after the Republican publicly stated that he intended to declare the area a United States territory.
[Caption]© Truth Social
On Friday (14), Trump had already mentioned that he would make the statement “soon”. On Monday (17), when talking to journalists in the Oval Office of the White House, he returned to the subject and said he liked the idea of ??transforming the strait into North American territory. So far, however, there has been no announcement of any formal measure that would change the region's status.
The new demonstration takes place while the United States and Iran maintain different versions of the situation on one of the most important trade routes in the world. Trump claims the Strait of Hormuz is open and safe for navigation. Tehran, on the other hand, maintains that the crossing remains closed and conditions its reopening on compliance with commitments made by Washington.
Iran demands compliance with agreement signed in June
The main Iranian negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said that Iran does not intend to fully restore circulation through the Strait of Hormuz until the United States meets the conditions set out in the interim agreement signed on June 17.
Among the demands presented by Tehran are the end of the naval blockade of Iranian ports, the removal of sanctions that affect the country's oil exports, the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad and the interruption of US threats and military operations.
The memorandum signed in June provided for a suspension of military operations and established commitments for both sides. According to the document sent by the White House to the United States Congress, Washington should lift the naval blockade of Iranian ports within 30 days, while Iran would allow free commercial passage through Hormuz for a period of 60 days. The deadline should also be used to negotiate a broader agreement.
The understanding, however, did not progress as expected. Trump declared the deal ended on July 7, and the Iranian government later announced its suspension. The 60-day period initially established ended this week without the conclusion of a new pact between the countries.
Traffic remains well below normal in Hormuz
Despite Trump's declarations that the strait is open, shipping data shows that vessel movement remains limited. This Tuesday, only six ships carrying commodities crossed the passage, compared to nine on Monday. The recent average was 11 vessels per day.
The impact also appears in energy transport. According to the United States Energy Information Administration, the EIA, the volume of crude oil and other derivatives that passed through Hormuz fell from an average of 21.6 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 4.9 million in the second quarter of this year.
Uncertainty about maritime passage continues to affect the international market. This Wednesday (19), Brent oil reached its highest level in three weeks, while shipping companies continue to avoid the region because of security risks.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz strategic?
Located between Iran and Oman, the Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and constitutes one of the main oil and gas transport routes on the planet. Before the current disruptions, about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas flows passed through the region.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) states that straits used for international navigation cannot be closed by countries that border these waters. The entity also defends the principle of freedom of navigation provided for in international maritime law.
The existing traffic separation scheme in Hormuz was proposed by Iran and Oman and adopted by the IMO in 1968. The system establishes the lanes used by vessels crossing the region and is coordinated by the two countries.
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