US President Donald Trump has said his administration is asking several countries to deploy naval vessels to help safeguard shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions with Iran continue to disrupt one of the world’s most crucial energy routes.
The narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula carries roughly one-fifth of global oil exports, making it a strategic choke point for international trade. The proposal to bring in multiple countries reflects Washington’s push to ensure vessels can move safely through the corridor amid rising hostilities in the region.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the United States is in discussions with around seven countries about participating in the effort. According to the President, the nations approached are heavily dependent on oil supplies moving through the strait.
“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, as an 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 added that the responsibility should lie with nations whose economies rely on the route. “I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory because it is their own territory,” he said.
Trump also noted, “We’re always there for NATO. We’re helping them with Ukraine. It doesn’t affect us, but we’ve helped them. It’d be interesting to see which country wouldn’t help us with a very small endeavour, which is just keeping the Strait open.”
So far, however, no government has publicly confirmed it will send ships to take part in the proposed mission.
Trump says Iran’s military capability has been heavily weakened
Trump also claimed US strikes had severely reduced Iran’s military strength. According to him, American operations have damaged Tehran’s air force, air defence systems and leadership structures.
“As far as I’m concerned, we’ve essentially defeated Iran,” he said, though he acknowledged that Iran could still mount limited retaliation.
Trump also referred to US attacks on Kharg Island, a key oil export hub, and suggested that Iran’s missile and drone production capacity had been sharply reduced.
“Their missiles are down to a low number,” he said. “Likewise, the drones are way down… about 20% of what they had.”
He further said US forces had begun targeting locations believed to house Iran’s drone manufacturing facilities.
Iran says passage decisions lie with its military
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said several countries had contacted Tehran to ensure safe passage for their vessels.
In an interview with CBS, Araghchi said permission for ships to pass through the strait falls under the authority of the Iranian military. He noted that a number of vessels from different nations had been allowed to transit the waters.
Araghchi also ruled out diplomatic engagement with Washington to end the conflict. He said Iran believes the hostilities began with coordinated US and Israeli strikes on February 28, which took place while indirect talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme were underway.
He added that Iran has no plan to rebuild its stockpile of enriched uranium that was destroyed during earlier operations by the US and Israel.
Oil prices surge as tensions shake global energy markets
Instability around the Strait of Hormuz has rattled global energy markets. Since the conflict escalated two weeks ago, oil prices have crossed USD 100 per barrel, raising fears of prolonged supply disruptions.
In the United States, petrol prices have climbed by more than 70 cents per gallon, adding economic pressure at home.
According to US officials, Iran has attempted to slow traffic in the region using small boats and sea mines. The US Navy, they say, will continue escorting commercial vessels passing through the strait.
The situation has also sparked political debate in Washington. Some Republicans in Congress have urged the White House to move quickly, warning that prolonged tensions could hurt the economy just as the country heads into an election year.
But Trump and some of his allies are not keen on rushing toward a quick end to the conflict. They say the bigger priority is making sure global supply routes remain stable in the long run, even if that means a longer standoff.