Trump Urges Allies to Secure Hormuz Strait Passage

WASHINGTON: (Web Desk) – US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that countries dependent on oil transported through the Strait of Hormuz should take responsibility for keeping the vital passage open, with assistance from the United States.

Global oil prices have surged roughly 40 percent as Iran has targeted Gulf energy facilities and disrupted maritime traffic in the strait following US-Israeli strikes against Iranian positions.

Hormuz Security: A Global Shared Responsibility

Trump, posting on social media, said, “The United States of America has beaten and completely decimated Iran, both Militarily, Economically, and in every other way, but the Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT!”

He added that the US would coordinate with these nations to ensure operations proceed “quickly, smoothly, and well,” emphasizing that the security of the strait should be a collaborative effort. Trump also expressed hope that China, France, Japan, South Korea, and Britain would deploy ships to help secure the passage.

Iranian strikes have severely disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel just 54 kilometers (34 miles) wide at its narrowest point, through which nearly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas flows.

Acknowledging Iran’s remaining capabilities, Trump noted, “It’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway, no matter how badly defeated they are.” He warned that the US would continue bombing Iranian positions along the shoreline and targeting boats and ships if necessary to ensure the strait remains open and safe.

The US military recently carried out heavy strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, a key facility handling most of Iran’s crude exports. Trump also threatened to target oil infrastructure on the island if passage through the strait were disrupted.

While US allies have shown reluctance to actively participate in military operations against Iran, several nations have deployed warships to the region amid growing tensions.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited a French aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean on Monday, noting that France and its partners were preparing a defensive mission to reopen the strait. Meanwhile, the UK sent a warship from southern England toward the eastern Mediterranean to strengthen British defenses following a drone attack on its Akrotiri base in southern Cyprus.