Trump Urges Global Alliance to Send Warships to Strait of Hormuz to Confront Iran
President of the United States, Donald Trump, has issued a firm call to the international community to assume shared responsibility for maintaining security in the Strait of Hormuz. This appeal follows the disruption of this vital maritime route caused by Iranian attacks, which triggered a surge in global oil prices of up to 40%.
Through social media posts on Saturday local time, Trump emphasised that although the United States has crippled Iran’s military and economic strength, countries dependent on oil supplies from the strait cannot remain idle. The Strait of Hormuz itself constitutes a crucial passage for one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
“The United States has struck and destroyed Iran completely, militarily, economically, and otherwise. However, countries around the world that receive oil through the Strait of Hormuz must protect this passage, and we will help, GREATLY!” Trump stated.
Trump proposed that this security effort become a global team endeavour. He specifically urged countries such as China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to be willing to send their warships to secure navigation through the strait, which is only 54 kilometres wide.
Although Trump claimed Iran’s military capabilities have been destroyed, he acknowledged that Tehran still possesses the ability to disrupt maritime traffic through guerrilla tactics.
“It is very easy for them to send one or two drones, lay mines, or launch short-range missiles along this waterway, regardless of how badly they have been defeated,” he wrote.
Trump also issued a stern warning that the US military would not hesitate to take extreme measures to ensure the passage is reopened.
“The United States will bombard coastal regions and continue to fire upon Iranian boats and vessels out of the water. One way or another, we will soon make the Strait of Hormuz OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!” Trump asserted.
Previously on Friday, the US military had bombarded Kharg Island, the central hub of Iran’s oil exports. Trump even threatened to destroy the entire oil infrastructure on the island if Iran or any other party continues to disrupt ship passage.
For their part, US allies have begun demonstrating military mobilisation, albeit with a more defensive tone. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that his country is preparing a “defensive” mission to reopen the strait. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has sent warships towards the Eastern Mediterranean following drone attacks on its base in Cyprus.