Trump proposes ‘Trump Strait’ name for Hormuz

US President Donald Trump has floated the idea of renaming the Strait of Hormuz after himself, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.

Trump made the suggestion on Wednesday in a post on his Truth Social platform. He claimed that the strategic waterway was now under US control and asked whether it should be renamed the “Trump Strait”.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serves as a major passage for global energy shipments.

Trump’s remarks came amid growing uncertainty over the security of the waterway and the wider confrontation between the United States and Iran.

Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington was preparing to intensify economic pressure on Tehran.

Speaking to Fox News, Bessent warned countries and entities against supporting Iran. He said the US would seek to cut Tehran’s economic connections with the outside world as part of its pressure campaign.

Bessent said Washington’s objective was to make continued support for Iran increasingly difficult. He argued that reducing international assistance to Tehran could help bring the conflict to an end more quickly.

The Treasury secretary also pointed to expanded US sanctions powers. According to him, Washington has developed additional measures targeting sectors including airlines, maritime activities and digital assets.

He said officials from the Treasury and State departments were engaged in discussions with parties suspected of supporting Tehran.

The comments came as the US-Iran confrontation continued to raise concerns about regional stability and international trade. Any disruption around the Strait of Hormuz could have wider consequences because of the waterway’s importance to global energy markets.