United States President Donald Trump has requested several countries to deploy warships alongside the US to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open following Iran’s reported attempt to restrict access to the critical shipping route.
Trump stated that countries impacted by the waterway’s disturbances would work together to secure it in a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday.
“Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe,” he wrote.
The strategic strait is one of the world’s most important maritime corridors, carrying a significant share of global oil shipments and international trade and the world’s energy markets could be impacted by any route disruption.
Trump expressed his hope that significant economies that depend on the route would join the initiative.
“Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated,” Trump wrote.
READ ALSO: US offers $10m reward for information on Supreme Leader Khamenei, others
The US president did not, however, indicate which nations had formally consented to send naval forces, and the governments of the allies did not immediately confirm their participation in the mission.
Additionally, Trump cautioned that Iran might still be a threat to shipping in the small canal even with the “heavy damage” to its military capabilities.
He went on to say that in order to safeguard the passage, US military actions would continue.
“We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway,” he said.
“In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water. One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!”
The comments coincide with rising tensions in the Middle East, where shipping lanes in the Gulf are increasingly vulnerable to security threats as the Iranian dispute worsens.
Recall that Iran declared on March 11 that it would not permit “a single litre of oil” to cross the Strait of Hormuz for the advantage of the United States, Israel, and their allies.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
