International
oi-Gaurav Sharma
US President Donald Trump continues to escalate his rhetoric about the Strait of Hormuz after posting a map on Tuesday, August 18, indicating the waterway as “new US territory.”
Trump posted the image on his Truth Social account with no caption or additional comments. The President tweeted about the Strait of Hormuz last week, stating the United States could declare it new U.S territory “pretty soon.”
US President Donald Trump posted a map designating the Strait of Hormuz as US territory, intensifying tensions as Iran demands US sanctions relief and troop withdrawal to reopen the crucial waterway following a ship attack.
The tensions come as Iran continues to threaten to keep the strategic waterway closed while Washington demands free passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran Vows to Keep the Strait Closed Until US Meets ‘Conditions’
Iran’s Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran would keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until Washington lifts sanctions and removes its soldiers from Iranian shores.
Ghalibaf reminded his nation that the 14-point memo sent by Iran to the U.S contains demands for the lifting of the economic blockade of the country, unfreezing of Iranian assets, and lifting of oil sanctions among other terms.
The Iranian parliament speaker reiterated that until the demands are met, Iran will not allow any ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Ghalibaf warned that they were prepared to take a stronger stance if the United States did not change its “aggressive policies.”
Escalating Tensions as a Ship Hits by Mystery Attackers
Tensions between Iran and the U.S escalated further on Monday after a ship was struck by unknown attackers while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the UK maritime trade operations (UKMTO), the vessel was hit while it was conducting an outbound passage through the strategic waterway.
The attack, which damaged the ship’s engine room, left one crew member injured. The attackers were yet to be identified as of Tuesday.
Importance of the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, and as such, any disruptions to traffic could cause fuel prices to spike, sending shockwaves across global markets.
The latest standoff between Iran and the U.S over the waterway means that no consensus has been reached on how or when it should be opened for traffic despite the 60-day negotiations set to expire soon.
Meanwhile, Iran has reiterated its position of refusing to allow traffic to resume until there are troop withdrawals and reparations. President Trump’s decision to share a map indicating the Strait of Hormuz as “new US territory” and Iran’s refusal to let it open for trade has created a climate of distrust.
