Trump urges global naval coalition to keep Strait of Hormuz open

2026-03-14 - 19:36

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on major world powers to send naval forces to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, the vital maritime corridor through which a significant share of global energy supplies pass. In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said that several countries would join the United States in deploying warships to ensure the waterway remains open amid escalating tensions with Iran. “Many countries, especially those affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending warships, in conjunction with the United States, to keep the Strait open and safe,” Trump wrote. He specifically urged China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to participate in the effort. The strategic waterway has seen maritime traffic sharply decline following Iranian strikes, raising concerns about global energy supplies. The Strait of Hormuz, which is only about 54 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, normally carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Trump said the United States Navy is preparing to begin escorting oil tankers through the strait, indicating that the operation could start “very soon.” In his remarks, the U.S. president claimed that Iran’s military capability had been largely neutralized but warned that the country could still threaten shipping lanes using drones, mines or short-range missiles, according to France 24. He also stated that U.S. forces would continue striking Iranian positions along the shoreline and targeting Iranian naval assets if necessary to secure the waterway. The escalation comes after U.S. forces carried out heavy air strikes on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub responsible for handling most of the country’s crude shipments. Trump has warned that Iran’s oil infrastructure on the island could also be targeted if shipping through the strait is disrupted. While some Western allies have been cautious about directly supporting the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, several nations have begun deploying naval assets in response to the expanding regional conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron recently visited a French aircraft carrier deployed in the Mediterranean Sea, stating that France and its partners are preparing a defensive mission aimed at helping reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy dispatched a warship from southern England toward the eastern Mediterranean to strengthen British defenses in the region following a drone attack on the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus. The developments underscore the growing international concern over the security of one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.