Donald Trump has called on the United Kingdom and other nations to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, amid escalating tensions with Iran. In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US president urged countries affected by the strait's effective closure to join American efforts to secure the waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil passes daily, has become a flashpoint since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran a fortnight ago. Numerous vessels have been attacked, driving up oil prices and straining the global economy. Trump claimed the US had already destroyed 100% of Iran's military capability but acknowledged the ongoing threat from drones, mines, and missiles.
Trump specifically called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK to send ships, adding that the US would continue bombing the shoreline and targeting Iranian boats. Iran dismissed his claims as "fabricated lies".
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "As we've said previously, we are currently discussing with our allies and partners a range of options to ensure the security of shipping in the region." The UK has already deployed HMS Dragon to the Mediterranean, but retired Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti warned that the risks in the Strait are currently "too great" to guarantee the safety of tankers.
Last week, Trump criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Truth Social, suggesting the UK was trying to join a conflict the US had already won. Starmer defended the UK's decision not to participate in initial strikes, stating it was in Britain's national interest.
