Trump wanted to name the Strait of Hormuz after himself.

US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to rename the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important and strategic oil transportation shipping route, as the "Trump Strait." In a post on the Truth Social media network, he stated that since the sea lane is now under American control, it is appropriate to change its name in this way.

Later, during a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House, in response to questions from journalists, he stated that it was merely an idea that came to his mind. Meanwhile, the official White House X account also published a new map marking the strait as the "Trump Strait."

This statement was issued against the backdrop of renewed military clashes between America and Iran in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz. American military attacks targeting radar, air defense systems, and naval mine-laying sites located on Iran's southern coast resulted in the deaths of several civilians, including two small children at a wedding ceremony in Sirik city. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on American military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Iraq, and Saudi Arabia also accused Iran of attacking an oil tanker.

This war, which began with joint attacks by America and Israel, has now entered its seventh month. Although it started as a short-term operation, due to the prolonged war, public support for Trump among the American people is declining, and fuel prices in America have reached their highest value in 14 years. Although Trump claimed that the US Navy has gained full control of the strait, Iranian authorities vehemently deny this, stating that the sea lane remains under Iranian management.

The Strait of Hormuz, the sole maritime passage from the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is the primary route through which about one-fifth (20 percent) of the world's seaborne oil is transported. Its narrowest point is approximately 21 miles wide, and only a 2-mile-wide lane is allocated for ship traffic in each direction. Although ships have the right of free passage under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Iran has disrupted traffic using naval mines, drones, and missiles due to the ongoing war.

Renaming geographical locations was a frequent trend observed as a political signal during President Trump's second term. Previously, he took steps to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "American Gulf" and Lake Ontario as the "American Lake" during a trade dispute with Canada. However, although a US president has the authority to change names on official maps of their country, these names do not legally apply under international law or for other countries. Iran and Oman remain its coastal states, and Iran emphasizes that this sea lane always belongs to Iran.

Upon examining the actual ground situation, although the US Navy has escorted some vessels, maritime traffic has significantly decreased compared to pre-war levels. World oil prices remain high, and insurance premiums for ships have also risen sharply. This proposed name change is unlikely to be included in international maps, and critics describe it merely as political propaganda attempting to symbolize a war victory.