Former U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested renaming the strategic Strait of Hormuz to the "Trump Strait," asserting that the United States now holds the crucial waterway "under U.S.A. control." This controversial proposal emerged on September 3, 2026, amidst a sharp escalation of hostilities between Washington and Tehran.
The suggestion was made in a post on Truth Social, where Trump wrote, "Now that we have it under U.S.A. control, should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT??? Like America itself, it would be 'hotter' than ever before!" The White House later amplified this by posting a map of the Gulf on social media, labeling the waterway "Trump Strait" and adding, "It's got a nice ring to it."
Escalating Tensions and US Strikes
The proposal followed a night of intensified conflict where Tehran reportedly attacked American bases across the Middle East. This was in retaliation for an alleged U.S. strike that hit a wedding event in Kuhestak, near the Strait of Hormuz, killing five people, including one child, and injuring dozens, according to the Iranian Red Crescent and Fars news agency.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it had conducted strikes on Iranian military targets. These included air defense sites, radar systems, maritime assets and facilities, communication sites, and mine-laying capabilities. Trump stated that these strikes were in response to Iran's attempts to place mines in the strait and an earlier assault on a military base.
Warnings and Economic Pressure
Speaking from the Oval Office on September 2, Trump warned of further military action, stating, "It was a very heavy attack last night, and we're prepared to do another one any time we want." He also issued a stark warning to Iran via Truth Social, claiming that "very little will be left of the nation" if it retaliated against the fresh U.S. strikes. Trump asserted Washington's "almost total control" over the key maritime route and linked Iran's "collapsing" economy to America's sanctions and its "economic D-day" approach.
Precedent for Renaming
This is not the first time Trump has proposed renaming a significant geographical feature. Less than a week prior, amid an ongoing dispute with Canada, he signed an executive order to change the name of Lake Ontario to "Lake America." The suggestion to rename the Strait of Hormuz comes as part of a broader, aggressive stance in U.S. foreign policy under his administration.