US urges allies to secure Strait of Hormuz amid near-blockade by Iran

2026-03-16 - 07:46

U.S. President Donald Trump is urging allied nations to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane that remains effectively closed amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran. The UK and France have deployed troops to the region to protect countries affected by Iranian strikes, but these forces are not engaging in combat or escorting commercial vessels through the Strait. Meanwhile, Iran has projected defiance, asserting that its grievances are limited to the U.S., Israel, and countries hosting hostile forces, dw.com reports. Trump’s call for assistance has largely gone unanswered. On Sunday, he warned of consequences if support is not forthcoming. In a brief interview with the Financial Times, he stated that the NATO alliance could face a “very bad” future should U.S. allies fail to help reopen the strategic waterway. Trump also indicated he might postpone his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for later this month, as part of efforts to pressure Beijing into assisting with security and navigation through the Strait. “It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” Trump told the newspaper. The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Arabian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, is a critical route for global oil supplies. Its near-blockade has disrupted oil shipments and sent fuel prices soaring worldwide.