Latest Developments in the Arab World: Trump to Deploy U.S. Troops to the Strait of Hormuz
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The tensions in the Middle East are heating up and directly affecting the global economy. U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the United States Navy is ready to escort oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, following increasing risks of attacks on this vital route.
The statement came amid an escalation of conflict with Iran, which he says could strike first. The Strait of Hormuz itself is one of the world’s most important oil shipping lanes, so even small disruptions can trigger spikes in energy prices and market fears.
‘If necessary, the United States Navy will begin to escort tanker ships through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible,’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, Tuesday local time, as cited by AFP, on Wednesday (4/3/2026).
Trump also ordered Washington to provide an insurance scheme for commercial shipments. This statement briefly reassured markets. U.S. stock indices trimmed losses, though crude oil prices remained higher.
On the other hand, Trump justified the joint U.S.–Israel operation against Iran. He denied that Tel Aviv had forced him to act, while claiming the move was taken to prevent an attack first from Tehran.
’ I think they (Iran) will attack first. And I do not want that to happen,’ Trump said when hosting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office. ‘So, if there is, I may have forced Israel to act.’
This statement differs from the explanation by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a day earlier. Rubio said Washington acted after learning Israel would act first.
Trump also claimed Iran’s military power had ‘taken a severe blow’. ‘Almost everything has been destroyed,’ he said, noting the Iranian navy, air force, and radar systems had been disabled.
However, he did not detail post-conflict political plans for Tehran. Trump even mentioned ‘most of the people we considered have died’, referring to leadership uncertainty after the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in last weekend’s attack.
One of the main objectives of this operation, according to Trump, is to stop Iran’s nuclear programme. A senior U.S. official said Tehran is ‘basically only days or weeks away’ from possessing a nuclear weapon.
Trump stressed that it is ‘too late’ for Iran to return to the negotiating table. The U.S. government has also confirmed there have been no secret contacts with Iran since the attack began.