US President Donald Trump suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as the “Trump Strait”, asserting that the crucial waterway is under American control amid the ongoing military conflict with Iran
. “Now that we have it under U.S.A. control, should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT???” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. “Like America itself, it would be ‘hotter’ than ever before!”
The White House later amplified the suggestion by posting a map on social media with the key maritime route relabeled as “Trump Strait,” accompanying the graphic with the comment,
“It’s got a nice ring to it”.
When questioned by reporters in the Oval Office shortly after the social media posts, President Trump appeared to play down the proposal, laughing and stating that he was “just throwing that out”.
The proposal follows other geographical name changes floated by the US president. Last week, Trump signed an executive order directing that Lake Ontario be renamed “Lake America” amid an escalating trade dispute with Canada.
He similarly declared the Gulf of Mexico renamed as the “Gulf of America” upon returning to office in January 2025. Neither Canada nor Mexico has recognized those geographic adjustments.
The latest branding suggestion comes despite continued military friction in the Strait of Hormuz, a key international chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of global crude oil transits.
Speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, President Trump stated that recent US military strikes targeted new Iranian offensive and defensive assets near the waterway.
“We took out all of the new equipment that they tried to build along the Strait of Hormuz — some defensive, some offensive,” Trump said. ”
It was a very heavy attack last night, and we’re prepared to do another one any time we want.” Trump added that the renewed US campaign against Iranian forces in the region would not extend indefinitely, noting that American forces had neutralized attempts by Iran to deploy mine-dropping rockets and restore damaged radar and missile installations.