Trump Mobilises Seven Nations to Secure the Strait of Hormuz, Including China
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that his administration is in negotiations with seven nations to discuss measures to secure shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic move was taken in response to Iran’s closure of the world’s most vital energy logistics corridor.
Speaking to journalists aboard the presidential aircraft Air Force One regarding Operation Epic Fury on Sunday, 15 March 2026, Trump assured that the US government had engaged in intensive dialogue with several nations the previous evening.
China was specifically identified as one of the nations invited to participate. Trump emphasised that the country has a significant interest, as approximately 90 per cent of crude oil shipped to China passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
“They get their oil, a lot of it, around 90 per cent, from that strait. So I asked them, ‘Do you want to join?’ We’ll see. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t,” the US President stated, as reported by Anadolu.
Trump stressed that nations receiving economic benefits from this strategic shipping route must bear responsibility for securing the maritime region with full military support from the United States.
Amidst escalating tensions, Trump also addressed leadership succession in Iran. Commenting on social media videos purporting to show 250,000 people cheering for Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Trump dismissed it as a technological hoax.
“It’s definitely artificial intelligence fabrication and never happened. The media knows it didn’t happen, but they report it as if he has massive support. He has no support from anyone,” Trump stated.
The Strait of Hormuz, stretching between Iran to the north and the Musandam Peninsula in Oman, is a vital artery for global energy supply. Iran has effectively closed this passage since early March 2026.
The closure follows a joint US-Israeli military operation on 28 February that killed 1,300 people, including Iran’s previous Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The disruption to shipping has significant ramifications.
Trump guaranteed that US Navy escort operations for tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz could begin shortly. He also expressed confidence that the conflict with Iran would end soon, followed by a decline in international oil prices.