As Iran continues to target ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz and infrastructure in Gulf nations, US President Donald J. Trump has called on countries reliant on the strait to send their naval vessels to the region in coordination with the United States to keep the vital waterway open and secure.
In a Truth Social post published Friday morning, Trump wrote that “Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe.” He expressed hope that China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and others would contribute ships, stating it would help eliminate the threat from a “Nation that has been totally decapitated.”
Trump claimed the U.S. has already “destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military capability,” but added that Iran could still deploy drones, mines or short-range missiles in the waterway. He added that the United States would continue “bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water” until the strait is “OPEN, SAFE, and FREE.”
Interestingly, Trump is urging the UK to deploy warships to the region just days after saying that British military help is no longer needed as the US has already won the war. After reports that the Royal Navy was preparing to send HMS Prince of Wales to the Middle East, Trump on Truth Social rejected the offer, saying, “We don’t need people that join Wars after we’ve already won.”
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint between Iran and Oman, carries roughly one-fifth of global oil trade. Any sustained closure or threat would sharply disrupt energy markets and raise prices worldwide.
The president’s remarks come days after U.S. forces eliminated Iranian mine-laying vessels near the strait and Trump issued repeated warnings that any Iranian attempt to halt oil flow would trigger overwhelming retaliation.
Earlier this week, Trump had posted that Iran would be “hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER” if it interfered with shipping and described keeping the strait open as “a gift” to China and other dependent nations.
The development comes amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions following recent American and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, including oil infrastructure. Shipping companies have reported reluctance to transit the strait without escorts, and the U.S. Navy has so far declined many requests for routine protection due to ongoing risks.
Notably, Iran has allowed Indian vessels to transit through the strait, and vessels carrying crude oil, LPG, LNG and other products have already reached India or are in transit under the India Navy escort.
