Suspense remains over peace talks between the United States and Iran, while meanwhile, US President Donald Trump shared a picture on social media in which he referred to the Strait of Hormuz as the 'Strait of Trump'. On Thursday, President Trump shared a map showing the altered name, while in this map, the 'Strait of Hormuz' was renamed the 'Strait of Trump'. Trump posted this image on his social media platform, Truth Social, without any caption. The image was originally shared by an account named 'IStandWithTrump47', which replaced the waterway's actual name with 'Strait of Trump'. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow but vital maritime route through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil shipments pass.
Previous Use of the Phrase by Trump
This isn't the first time Trump has referred to the Strait of Hormuz as the 'Strait of Trump'. On March 27, while appealing for the reopening of the waterway under a potential peace deal with Iran, Trump used the phrase while speaking at the Saudi-backed FII Priority investment forum in Miami. " He further added, "They've to open the 'Strait of Trump' - I mean Hormuz. Sorry, I'm so sorry.
Naval Blockade and Rising Oil Prices
The reshared image surfaced at a time when Trump stated that the US naval blockade against Iran could last for months. Due to this comment, oil prices have reached their highest level in more than four years. Political pressure on Trump to end the conflict is continuously increasing, while the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global energy security makes any such statement highly significant in international markets and diplomatic circles.
Iran's Official Stance and Response
Meanwhile, Iran's top leadership has termed the US administration's alleged naval blockade strategy as a failure and misleading, stating that it will neither increase pressure on Iran nor bring stability to the region. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that any form of maritime blockade is against international law and is destined to fail. Mohsin Rezaei, military advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, said that Iran will no longer accept the US blockade in any way. He warned that if the blockade continues, Iran will provide a fitting response.
Military advisor Mohsin Rezaei emphasized that Iran won't accept the blockade and will respond if the current situation continues.