Trump floats renaming Strait of Hormuz 'Trump Strait' amid escalating Iran war

US President Donald Trump has suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz after himself, declaring that the strategically vital waterway is under American control despite continued Iranian attacks on shipping in the region.

Trump made the provocative suggestion on Wednesday, less than a day after US forces launched fresh strikes against targets in Iran. The attacks reportedly killed at least four people, including two children, during a wedding gathering in the southern city of Sirik.

"Now that we have it under USA control, should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT???" Trump wrote in a social media post.

He added that, like the United States itself, the renamed waterway would be "'hotter' than ever before."

Iran responded to the latest US strikes by launching missiles towards American military positions across the region. The renewed fighting sent oil prices higher, with crude rising by about four percent amid growing fears that the conflict could further disrupt global energy supplies.

Washington has repeatedly claimed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and that millions of barrels of oil continue to pass through the waterway each day. However, oil prices have remained elevated in recent weeks, while Tehran continues to insist that the strategic passage is closed and under Iranian control.

Concerns over shipping safety have also intensified. Saudi Arabia on Wednesday accused Iran of attacking an oil tanker, killing two people.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a maritime monitoring organisation affiliated with the British Royal Navy, has reported attacks or security incidents involving vessels in and around the Strait on an almost daily basis.

The conflict is also putting increasing pressure on American motorists. Petrol prices in the US climbed to $4.12 a gallon on Wednesday, according to the American Automobile Association, compared with less than $3 a gallon before the war began on February 28.

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched the conflict earlier this year with attacks against Iran that killed its supreme leader. Trump initially predicted the war would last about six weeks and described the operation as a "little excursion".

That quick resolution failed to materialise, with the conflict entering its seventh month last week.

Despite the prolonged fighting and Iran's continued ability to strike American interests, Trump has repeatedly declared victory and maintained that Tehran has been militarily defeated.

Following Tuesday's US strikes, Trump issued a warning to Iran against retaliating, threatening that Tehran would face attacks at a "much harder and higher level" if it responded.

Iran nevertheless launched missiles and drones at US bases in Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq within hours.

Trump's proposal to rename the waterway is the latest in a series of statements aimed at reinforcing his claim of American dominance over the conflict and the strategically crucial Strait.

Last month, Trump described the Strait of Hormuz as "American territory".

The president also recently announced that Lake Ontario, which borders both the United States and Canada, would be referred to as "Lake America" by the US amid continuing trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa.