Trump Announces Strait of Hormuz as 'New' U.S. Territory, Iran Calls It 'Schizophrenia'

On August 28, 2026, Trump uploaded a map to his Truth Social platform showing the Strait of Hormuz marked as U.S. territory. The strait, a critical maritime chokepoint in the Middle East, is currently under the de facto control of the U.S. and Iran. The post was made ahead of the sixth month anniversary of the war Trump initiated with Israel against Iran on February 28, 2026. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi swiftly responded, calling Trump's claim 'schizophrenia.' Tehran has long opposed U.S. military presence in the region and has accused Washington of escalating tensions. Meanwhile, sources in Washington note that the U.S. maintains control of maritime routes and continues to apply pressure on Iran through military and economic means. The claim has drawn international attention, with multiple outlets reporting the event. No official U.S. government statement has been issued to clarify or refute Trump's declaration, leaving the legal and geopolitical implications of the post unresolved.