From 'guardian of Hormuz' to 'Trump Strait': a months-long campaign to claim it

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has now suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz “TRUMP STRAIT,” claiming the waterway is now under US control and joking that it would be “hotter” than ever.

The Truth Social post on Wednesday, September 2, adds yet another chapter to Trump’s personal language around a key global shipping route.

Trump puts his name on Hormuz

Trump’s latest message came as US-Iran fighting again put the Strait back at the center of the confrontation.

He did not announce an official renaming, but framed the proposed name as a question: “should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT???”

The waterway separates Iran and Oman and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

He first called himself its guardian

Trump’s fixation escalated publicly in July.

On July 13, he said the US would “keep” and “probably run” the Strait, proposing that Washington become its “guardian” or “guardian angel.”

He also said other countries should reimburse the US.

That day, Trump announced a proposed 20% charge on cargo passing through Hormuz.

He abandoned the fee within a day after objections from Gulf states, shipping interests and the International Maritime Organization.

Reuters reported that he instead turned toward investment and trade arrangements with Gulf countries.

Then Trump said America owned it

The rhetoric became more direct in August.

On August 10, Trump said the US Navy had “total control” of Hormuz. The following day, he said: “We own it.”

The White House reinforced that message.

In an August 28 statement titled “President Trump Was Right: America Controls the Strait of Hormuz,” it said US forces had cleared Iranian mines and escorted nearly 1,500 commercial vessels.

Those claims remain contested. 

Iran has continued to assert authority over the waterway, while Iran and Oman remain the coastal states bordering the Strait.

He wanted to make it US territory

Trump went further on August 14, saying he would “pretty soon” declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory after defeating Iran.

He pointed to the American naval blockade as evidence of effective control, saying ships could not pass unless the US allowed them to.

Iran rejected the proposal. 

Iran's deputy foreign minister said the waterway would only be opened or closed under Iranian authority.

A territorial claim would also be different from military control.

The Strait is not US territory, and a presidential statement alone does not transfer sovereignty over foreign waters.

Now the president wants Trump Strait

The latest post links months of control claims directly to Trump’s name.

For Americans, the stakes are larger than the wording. 

Hormuz carries a major share of global oil and gas shipments. So prolonged disruption can feed into crude prices, gasoline costs, freight rates, and household expenses.

What began as talk of guarding the route has moved through proposed tolls, claims of ownership and a possible US territorial designation. 

Now Trump has offered his own name for the map.