US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is now American territory, publishing a new post on his Truth Social account. In the post, Trump shared an image of the region with the Strait of Hormuz clearly circled, accompanied by the bold caption: “NEW U.S. Territory.”
This marks the second time in just one week that the American president has posted this image. Meanwhile, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, stated on Saturday that Tehran would consider “enemies” any country that participates in the US “economic war.” “Any country that participates in imposing economic restrictions against us is considered an enemy,” the Iranian official declared.
🔴President Trump just posted a map labeling the Strait of Hormuz as “NEW U.S. Territory.” The critical waterway is clearly circled and claimed. This follows his repeated statements that America now controls the Strait. Iran’s ability to threaten global oil shipping is being… pic.twitter.com/4TbQoFMNWC
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) August 22, 2026
“We declare to all countries in our region and around the world: do not participate in the economic war being waged by the United States,” Rezaei emphasized in a statement to state television, following Washington’s announcement of sweeping new economic sanctions designed to intensify pressure on Tehran.
US sanctions against Iran expected imminently as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz reach a boiling point
If countries refuse “to distance themselves” from the US, Iran “will strike their interests,” he added. “We have not yet attacked American economic interests” and “so far we have only targeted military bases — but if they want to impose economic sanctions on us, the US has oil and economic companies around Iran and elsewhere, and we will strike them,” Rezaei warned.
If Trump “takes action, our response will be like an earthquake,” he concluded.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to hold a press conference at 2:00 PM local time (9:00 PM Greek time) on Monday, amid warnings of the unveiling of “the harshest sanctions in history” against Iran.
Washington has called on other governments, including Beijing, to join efforts to isolate the Iranian economy. However, China — a key strategic economic partner of Iran — has criticized the initiative, arguing that American “sanctions and pressure” will not resolve the conflict in the Middle East.
Among Iran’s most significant trading partners are the United Arab Emirates, which announced on Tuesday that they are suspending “all trade and financial transactions” with the country until further notice.
