US President Donald Trump has called on allies including the UK, Japan, China, and South Korea to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to secure the vital shipping route, which he claims is being violently blockaded by Iran. In posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump urged countries that receive oil through the strait to join the United States in a naval mission to keep the waterway open and safe.
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Tehran, in retaliation for US and Israeli airstrikes, has caused the largest oil supply disruption in history and soaring global oil prices. Iran has stated that any oil tanker heading for the US, Israel, or its allies is a legitimate target and will be immediately destroyed. Sixteen tankers have been attacked since the war began in late February, and Iran has threatened to lay explosive mines in the waterway.
However, international response to Trump’s call has been muted. The UK Ministry of Defence said it is in discussions with allies over a range of options to ensure shipping security. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband indicated the UK is considering sending mine-hunting drones. Japan’s ruling party policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi said the possibility of sending warships cannot be ruled out but the threshold is very high. South Korea said it is closely monitoring the situation and exploring measures to protect its citizens and secure energy transport routes.
France has ruled out sending warships while the conflict escalates. Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin stated that France maintains a purely defensive position and has no plans to move its flagship aircraft carrier from the eastern Mediterranean. President Emmanuel Macron previously mentioned preparing a purely defensive escort mission once the most intense phase of the war ends.
The US itself has not yet sent its own navy ships to escort tankers through the strait. Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz with Trump in a call on Sunday, noting the disruption to global shipping and rising costs worldwide.
