Trump floats new name for the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed giving the Strait of Hormuz a new name that would bear his own, in the middle of the war with Iran. In a social media post on Wednesday, Trump, who argued that the waterway is now under Washington’s control, raised the idea of renaming the strait.

The remark came less than 24 hours after the U.S. struck multiple targets in Iran. In Tuesday’s attacks, at least 4 people were killed at a wedding in the southern city of Sirik, including two children, according to reports.

Oil prices rose as attacks continued in the region

Iran responded by firing missiles and sending drones at U.S. bases in Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq. The latest phase of the conflict also hit energy markets, with oil prices rising by about 4%.

Washington says the Strait of Hormuz remains open and that millions of barrels of oil pass through it every day. Tehran, however, says the waterway is closed and under its control. The UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations), a monitoring body linked to the Royal Navy, has been reporting near-daily attacks on ships in the area.

Saudi Arabia also accused Iran on Wednesday of attacking an oil tanker. According to the Saudi statement, 2 people were killed in the attack.

  • According to AAA, the price of a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. was $4.12 on Wednesday.
  • Before the war began, that figure was below $3 before February 28.

Trump renews his remarks as the war enters its seventh month

Trump had said the conflict would last six weeks when the war, which began with strikes by him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Iran earlier this year, first erupted. But the expected quick outcome never came, and the war entered its seventh month last week.

In recent months, Trump has repeatedly revived his claim to control the Strait of Hormuz. Last month, the U.S. president said he considered the strait American territory, and last week he said he had unilaterally renamed Lake Ontario as Lake America amid an ongoing trade dispute with Canada.