Iran labels California its ‘new territory’ after Trump’s Hormuz claim
Tehran responds after Trump portrays Strait of Hormuz as ‘new US territory,’ highlighting California’s large Iranian diaspora
WASHINGTON (MNTV) — Iran has responded to US President Donald Trump’s claim over the Strait of Hormuz by jokingly labeling California as the “new territory” of Iran.
An official Iranian government social media account posted a map of the US on Tuesday showing California highlighted in blue, with the words: “NEW TERRITORY OF ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN.”
The post came after Trump shared an image on Truth Social showing the Strait of Hormuz circled on a map beneath the words “NEW U.S. Territory.”
Trump had earlier suggested that the strategic waterway could become US territory after the conflict ends. The White House later reposted his message on its official X account.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also responded, writing on X that Trump’s “delusion regarding the Strait of Hormuz” would either be corrected or that Iran would “correct the delusions” of the US president.
The Iranian post appeared to draw on California’s large Iranian-American population, particularly in the Los Angeles area.
An estimated 141,000 people of Iranian descent live in Los Angeles County, according to the Iranian Diaspora Dashboard maintained by UCLA’s Center for Near Eastern Studies.
Southern California’s Iranian community grew substantially following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, with Los Angeles’ Westwood neighborhood becoming a major center of Iranian-American life. The area is widely known as “Tehrangeles.”
The exchange comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington following months of conflict.
Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending hostilities and paving the way for a broader agreement. The arrangement later broke down amid disputes over its implementation and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, talks involving Iran and Oman on arrangements for navigation through the strategic waterway have continued without a breakthrough.
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