US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Iran by again sharing an image labelling the Strait of Hormuz as “NEW US Territory,” while Washington prepares to impose what it calls the toughest sanctions in history. Iran has rejected the claim, warning that the waterway will remain closed unless US policy changes, and has threatened regional neighbours against joining America’s economic campaign.

Trump’s latest post on Truth Social came on Sunday, following his earlier identical graphic shared on 18 August. He had first floated the idea of claiming jurisdiction over the Strait of Hormuz during a police academy address on Long Island on 14 August, declaring that he would soon designate the corridor as US territory.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei sharply criticised Trump’s assertions. He said the gap between America’s inability to reopen the Strait and its claim to own it was greater than the 7,000-mile distance between Washington and the Strait itself. He described the situation as part of the “post-American order in the Persian Gulf.”

The confrontation coincides with Washington’s preparations to roll out additional sanctions against Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to announce what he has described as “the toughest sanctions in history.” He has urged Beijing to cooperate with Washington regarding Iranian oil shipments, as China remains a principal importer of Iranian crude.

Iran has condemned the forthcoming punitive steps, warning that they will further damage its economy and strain relations with key trade partners. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denounced the measures as an attempt by Washington to project extra-territorial authority. He stated that such secondary sanctions have no foundation in international law.

Rezaei also issued a stern warning to neighbouring countries, cautioning them against aligning with Washington’s economic war. He said that any nearby nation joining the US campaign would be considered an enemy by Tehran.

The Strait of Hormuz remains the focal point of the confrontation. Tehran insists the vital passage is shut and has warned of countermeasures against unapproved tanker traffic. The disruptions have already severely affected international energy flows, with global petroleum trade facing mounting uncertainty.

President Trump has repeatedly cautioned foreign governments against providing Tehran with “any type of lifeline.” He has maintained that Iran must agree to what Washington deems the right deal. Despite this uncompromising stance, Iranian officials have signalled openness to negotiations, though they insist that national dignity and strength must be preserved.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for diplomatic engagement to resolve the standoff. He emphasised that Tehran should aim to end the conflict while safeguarding its sovereignty. His remarks suggest that while Iran rejects Washington’s territorial claims, it remains willing to explore dialogue under the right conditions.

With Trump continuing to designate the Strait of Hormuz as “NEW US Territory” and Tehran refusing to reopen the passage without a shift in American policy, the strategic maritime corridor remains at the centre of a worsening crisis. The situation threatens to destabilise global energy markets and deepen the geopolitical divide across the Persian Gulf.

ANI