US-Iran relations are once again entering a dangerous escalation trajectory, following Donald Trump ‘s decision to publish on social media a map showing the Strait of Hormuz as “New US Territory” .
The post, which was made on Tuesday morning on the Truth Social platform, demonstrates that the American president is completely ignoring Tehran’s direct threats to attack American ships, as well as the unprecedented warnings from Iranian military officials.
With this move, Washington is further escalating the climate in one of the most strategic points for international navigation and oil transportation, while the international community awaits the official reaction of the Iranian leadership as well as possible additional clarifications from the American president.
This action is a continuation of the recent inflammatory statements of Donald Trump , who had openly stated that this vital sea passage could come under direct American control . The US president had claimed that after completing the military victory over Iran , which according to him is suffering a heavy defeat, he intends to declare the Strait of Hormuz as United States territory. Declaring the absolute sovereignty of the American armed forces in the zone, he characteristically claimed that no ship can pass without US approval, reinforcing the pressure through the de facto naval blockade of Iranian ports.
The reaction of the Iranian armed forces was immediate and particularly aggressive. Major General Amir Hatami described Trump’s statements as a “big mistake” and warned that his country has defenders ready to “break the legs” of anyone who attempts to undermine its national sovereignty.
Khatami further argued that US forces have been effectively expelled from the wider region and will not be allowed access to the Persian Gulf , the Sea of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz again, insisting that the only path for Washington is a complete withdrawal.
At the same time, on the political front, Tehran is escalating its stance by setting specific conditions for the restoration of international navigation. The speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf , announced the maintenance of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until the American side fulfills its commitments under the interim agreement of Islamabad . At the same time, Ghalibaf reiterated Iran’s main demands, clarifying that necessary conditions for the de-escalation of the crisis are the immediate lifting of the American naval blockade , the end of economic sanctions and the release of Iran’s frozen assets abroad.
