President Trump: Hormuz is America's new territory.
US President Donald Trump denied all reports of negotiations, while also making attention-grabbing moves targeting the Strait of Hormuz.
According to AFP, President Trump declared on August 18 (Washington time) that no negotiations with Iran are currently underway or planned. This move came shortly after he posted a map on Truth Social depicting the Strait of Hormuz as new US territory, a direct attack on Tehran. Trump has been escalating threats and claims of sovereignty over this vital energy waterway, amidst a war in Iran that has lasted nearly six months with no end in sight.
In retaliation for the war launched by the US and Israel in late February, Iran successfully closed this strategic choke point, which is a route for transporting one-fifth of the world's oil. The US leader also reiterated the idea of annexation during a meeting with reporters in the Oval Office on August 18th, considering it a viable proposal.
Earlier on August 17, Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, asserted that the US and Iran were having very positive and proactive exchanges. However, the US President denied this information. On the social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote that no talks were taking place or scheduled with Iran. He emphasized that the naval blockade remained in effect. He also announced that the Strait of Hormuz was now open and all mines had been cleared or detonated.
Sources from the US revealed to AFP that there had indeed been positive discussions with Iran. However, Trump decided to wait and instructed his team to halt contact until Tehran was truly ready to move toward an agreement.
This is not the first time President Donald Trump has threatened to annex foreign territory when faced with foreign policy obstacles. Since taking office again in 2025, he has threatened to make Canada the 51st state of the United States, take over Greenland, Cuba, and even hinted at controlling the Gaza Strip. However, he has never carried out any of these threats.
