United States President Donald Trump has said that countries affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Strait of Hormuz should send warships alongside the United States to ensure the waterway remains open and secure.
In a statement posted on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump called on major economies including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom to deploy naval forces to help secure the vital shipping route.
According to the US president, the participation of international naval forces would help guarantee the safe passage of commercial vessels and energy shipments through the strait, which is considered one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.
“In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian boats and ships out of the water,” Trump said in the statement.
Trump also claimed that the United States had destroyed most of Iran’s military capabilities, though he warned that smaller threats such as drones, naval mines and short-range missiles could still pose risks to vessels passing through the waterway.
“We have destroyed 100 percent of Iran’s military capability, but 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 said.
The president also dismissed reports that several US military aircraft were damaged in an attack at an airport in Saudi Arabia. Trump described the reports as “fake news,” stating that most of the aircraft had already returned to service.
“Four of the five had virtually no damage, and are already back in service,” he said.
The comments come amid escalating tensions following a series of military actions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz on March 1 after joint attacks by Israel and the United States on Iranian targets beginning on February 28. The strikes reportedly resulted in more than 1,200 deaths, including Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran responded with a series of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and several Gulf countries hosting US military assets. The attacks have reportedly caused casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure across parts of the region.
The crisis has raised serious concerns about global energy supplies. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments and a significant portion of global liquefied natural gas exports, making it one of the most strategically important waterways for international trade.
Disruptions to shipping in the strait have already triggered volatility in global energy markets, with oil prices rising sharply amid fears that a prolonged blockade could significantly restrict supply.
Military planners in several countries are now considering options to protect merchant vessels transiting the strait, including the possibility of naval escorts for oil tankers and commercial ships.
Trump’s call for allied naval participation reflects growing concerns among Western governments and energy-dependent nations that the conflict could further destabilise global trade routes if the waterway remains closed.
The situation continues to evolve as diplomatic tensions and military preparations intensify across the Middle East.
