US President Donald Trump has suggested renaming the strategically important Strait of Hormuz the “Trump Strait” as tensions between Washington and Tehran intensify.
Trump made the proposal on Wednesday in a post on his Truth Social platform.
He claimed the United States had gained control of the crucial waterway and suggested “TRUMP STRAIT” as a possible new name.
According to Trump, the proposed name would be “hotter” than ever.
The White House appeared to embrace the idea, sharing a map of the Gulf on social media with the proposed name.
It also described the name as having “a nice ring to it.”
Trump has previously made controversial proposals involving changes to the names of major geographical features and prominent institutions during his second term.
However, when questioned in the Oval Office about whether he seriously planned to rename the strait, Trump appeared to downplay the suggestion.
He said the idea had simply been “thrown out there.”
The remarks come as military tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy route, with a significant portion of the world’s oil supplies passing through the narrow waterway.
Reports indicate that fighting between the US and Iran has intensified following a period of relative calm.
The US reportedly carried out fresh strikes near the strait after Trump accused Iran of attempting to lay mines in the waterway.
Iran accused the US of killing civilians in one of the strikes.
Tehran subsequently launched attacks against American military positions in several Middle Eastern countries.
Trump has also warned that Washington remains ready to carry out further attacks against Iran.
However, he indicated that any renewed military campaign would not continue for a prolonged period.
