Trump Escalates Clash with Iran, Publishes Map of Hormuz as U.S. Territory

Donald Trump has continued to insist on his idea regarding the Strait of Hormuz, further raising tensions with Iran. The U.S. president posted a map on social media depicting this strategic sea route as part of United States territory.

The Strait of Hormuz, which lies in the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, is the route through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil is transported. Trump first mentioned the possibility of annexing it on Friday and appears to be pushing this position further, despite the harsh reaction from the ayatollah regime.

“We control it through the blockade, and I like the idea of declaring it American territory. We are extracting millions of barrels of oil per week” through the Strait of Hormuz. “Oil prices are falling, and the decline will continue if we decide to do something much more drastic than what we are currently doing,” he said. Iran described these statements as illusions.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that the United States “does not accept the reality of defeat.” He stressed that, in fact, it is the Islamic Republic that continues to keep the strait blocked and controls its fate.

Tehran is also demanding the implementation of the criteria of the agreement reached between Iran and the United States, making this a condition for reopening the sea channel through which 20% of global gas and oil supplies pass.