President Donald Trump has suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz the "Trump Strait," claiming the strategic waterway is now under U.S. control. This proposal came amid renewed hostilities with Iran and follows previous attempts by Trump to rename other geographical features, such as Lake Ontario to "Lake America" and the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." While Trump initially floated the idea on Truth Social, he later downplayed its seriousness when asked, stating it was "just thrown out there." The White House, however, appeared to embrace the concept by posting a map labeling the waterway "Trump Strait."
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial international chokepoint between Iran and Oman, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Indian Ocean. Before the war, approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies, or about 20 million barrels per day, transited through the Strait. Recent data from Kpler shows a significant drop in traffic, with only six ships crossing on a recent Tuesday compared to 19 vessels the previous Friday and a pre-war average of 138 vessels daily. On Wednesday, U.K. Maritime Operations (UKMTO) reported an attack on a tanker in the Strait, resulting in two casualties, with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry attributing the attack to Iran.
Despite Trump's assertions of U.S. control, renaming the Strait of Hormuz internationally is not feasible. The waterway is governed by international maritime law, and countries like Iran and Oman, along with international organizations, would not be obligated to adopt a new name. The U.S. can direct its own government to use the name, but this does not grant sovereignty or change the legal status of the Strait. Trump's suggestion is seen as a way to project American power amid ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict and disruptions to international shipping. Total oil exports from the region are reportedly higher than before the war if bypassed routes, such as those in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are included, with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright noting over 17 million barrels of oil transited the Strait on one recent Monday, a wartime record.
The U.S. military has been actively involved in the region. Trump stated that U.S. forces destroyed Iranian equipment along the Strait during overnight strikes. U.S. Central Command completed a wave of strikes targeting facilities operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps across Iran. The U.S. Navy also reported redirecting 86 commercial vessels and disabling three since a naval blockade against Iran was renewed on July 14. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury Department, under "Operation Economic Outcast," has sanctioned entities, including Dubai branches of an Egyptian bank for allegedly providing over $1.8 billion to the Iranian regime.
