Trump Declares Strait of Hormuz 'New American Territory'
US President Donald Trump shared a map of the Persian Gulf labeling the Strait of Hormuz as 'new American territory.' Iran continues to threaten that the strait will remain closed until US conditions are met.
The White House shared today, Tuesday, on its official X account a photo that US President Donald Trump published on his "TRUTH" network page, presenting a map of the Persian Gulf that defines the Strait of Hormuz as "new American territory."
Earlier, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, addressed the tension surrounding the Strait of Hormuz:
"The strait will remain closed until the United States fulfills the conditions of the interim agreement," according to local media.
Yesterday, sources in the Islamic Republic and intelligence officials in Arab countries told the "Wall Street Journal" that Iran is using the ceasefire period, which began with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the US, to prepare for a wider conflict. According to the report, Iran's plans for expanding the war include preemptive strikes, damaging internet cables in the Gulf, destabilizing Kuwait and Bahrain, and even ground activity in Kuwait.
Furthermore, sources stated that as part of these preparations, the Revolutionary Guards have increased the production of missiles and UAVs, strengthened their control over the army, and updated militias in Iraq and Yemen on plans to expand the war. A source close to the regime added that there is a prevalent perception in Iran that "the main war has not yet begun."
Against the backdrop of the stalemate in talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the day before yesterday:
"60 days have passed since the agreement with the US; we have no intention of returning to negotiations at the moment."
Araghchi claimed that messages exchanged through Qatar and Pakistan do not meet the definition of negotiations. According to him, separate talks with Oman focused on establishing a maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz, and "the United States will have to meet the conditions for resuming the movement of ships in the region."
Meanwhile, a senior European official told the "Washington Post" that "the alliance between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia is a message to the United States," following great frustration in the Gulf states regarding the Trump administration's conduct in the war against Iran. Arab and Western officials stated that Gulf states doubt the US's ability to defeat Iran, and some have begun to question whether to continue hosting American bases.
"Trump started this war—and we are paying the price," said a Gulf official, adding that anger toward the United States has peaked since the US and Israel attacked Iran in February. He further noted that three Sunni countries "are trying to diversify their security cooperation. From their point of view, the US is not enough."
Additionally, a senior White House official stated:
"President Trump has excellent relationships with all partners in the Gulf. The US has been in constant contact with all our allies in the region even before Operation Lion's Roar. Iran is even more isolated than before as a result of the terrorist acts it has committed."
