Iran quickly dismissed the proposal, with military officials mocking the geopolitical claim as a digital alteration.
Iran Mocks U.S. Control Claims and Proposed Renaming
Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, ridiculed the renaming plan in a post on the social media platform X. According to Anadolu Agency and Middle East Eye, Zolfaghari stated that the only action the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) could take regarding the waterway was changing its name using Photoshop.
“In operation last night, more sea mines were deployed along illegal routes south of the Strait of Hormuz; the only action CENTCOM can take in response is changing the name of the Strait using Photoshop,” Zolfaghari wrote, as reported by Anadolu Agency. He further joked that Washington should use photo-editing software to safely guide oil tankers through the disputed corridor.
Did you know?
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial chokepoint for global oil and gas supplies, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Trump Defends Geopolitical Control Amid Ongoing Middle East Conflict
President Trump announced the proposed name change via Truth Social on September 2, 2026, writing that the waterway would become “greater than ever before” under U.S. oversight, as cited by IDN Times. The White House subsequently shared a map of the Gulf region featuring the suggested label, accompanied by social media commentary noting that the new name sounded good.
When questioned by reporters about whether the renaming effort was serious, Trump laughed and called it just a remark, according to Anadolu Agency. However, the proposal follows a pattern of unilateral geographic renaming by the U.S. administration. Trump signed an executive order last week renaming Lake Ontario on the U.S.-Canada border to “Lake America,” and previously changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” upon taking office in January 2025, drawing sharp rejections from Ottawa and Mexico City.
Broader Conflict Context in the Persian Gulf
The latest war of words unfolds against a backdrop of prolonged military escalation. According to sources, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reports near-daily attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Although President Trump initially projected that the military campaign against Iran initiated earlier in the year would last only six weeks, the conflict entered its seventh month in late August.
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Despite persistent attacks by Iranian forces on U.S. regional assets in countries such as Bahrain, Jordan, and Iraq, Trump continues to assert that Iran has suffered military defeat and that Washington holds total sovereignty over the maritime passage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Strait of Hormuz important?
The Strait of Hormuz handles a massive share of the world’s petroleum liquids consumption, making it one of the most critical energy transit choke points globally.
Who proposed renaming the Strait of Hormuz?
U.S. President Donald Trump proposed renaming the waterway to the “Trump Strait” via social media on September 2, 2026.
How did Iran respond to the renaming proposal?
Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, mocked the proposal, suggesting Washington could only change the name using Photoshop.
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