US President Trump Calls on Seven Nations to Deploy Warships to Protect Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran Tensions
US President Donald Trump said he has requested around seven nations to send warships to help secure transit through the Strait of Hormuz as the ongoing conflict with Iran continues to threaten this vital maritime corridor.
Trump’s comments on Sunday (US local time) follow reports that he aims to form an international coalition to escort commercial vessels navigating the strait, a strategic waterway through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil exports pass.
While the President did not name the countries invited, he said the selected nations are highly dependent on Middle Eastern oil. Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One, Trump stated:
“We’re talking to countries about policing the straits because they are the ones — you know, we don’t get oil, very little, 1%. China, for example, gets about 90% of its oil from the Hormuz Strait. It’d be nice to have other countries policing with us. And we’ll help, and we’ll work with them.”
He emphasised the responsibility of international partners, saying:
“I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory because it is their own territory.”
Despite rising global oil prices, no country has confirmed participation in the mission. Trump compared this effort to US support in other regions, noting:
“We’re always there for NATO. We’re helping them with Ukraine… It’d be interesting to see which country wouldn’t help us with a very small endeavour, which is just keeping the Strait open.”
Assessing military operations, Trump claimed Tehran’s capabilities have been significantly weakened, though he acknowledged the potential for limited Iranian retaliation:
“We’ve essentially defeated Iran… we have taken out their air forces, air defence, leadership, and their missile and drone manufacturing capabilities. Militarily, it’s been amazing.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS that multiple countries have approached Tehran to secure safe passage for their ships. He stressed that permission is controlled by the Iranian military and dismissed the possibility of direct diplomacy with Washington. Araghchi also stated that Israel and the US initiated strikes on February 28, and Iran has no plans to recover enriched uranium lost in prior operations.
The conflict has disrupted global oil markets, sending prices above USD 100 per barrel, with petrol prices in the US rising over 70 cents per gallon. Iran has reportedly tried to block passage using small boats and sea mines, while US officials affirmed continued naval protection for commercial shipping.
