Donald Trump is urging allies and global powers to send warships to help reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz following escalating conflict involving Iran, but so far no nation has committed to joining the effort.
The U.S. president, who launched military strikes on Iran alongside Israel, said he has asked roughly half a dozen countries to deploy naval forces to secure the strategic waterway. About one-fifth of the world’s traded oil passes through the strait, which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
“I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory,” Trump told reporters, arguing that the shipping route is more critical for other nations that rely heavily on Middle Eastern oil.
The request comes as global oil prices surge amid fears that Iran’s actions against shipping in the strait could disrupt energy supplies and intensify economic pressures worldwide.
Trump has suggested he could raise the issue during his planned trip to China, where he is expected to meet President Xi Jinping later this month. Beijing has not committed to joining any naval coalition, though officials say communication between the two countries continues.
France has indicated it may consider escorting ships through the strait if circumstances allow, while the United Kingdom has signalled it is unlikely to deploy a warship and does not want to be drawn into a wider conflict.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s push for international support, arguing that reopening the shipping route benefits the entire global economy.
“This is something not just the United States but the entire Western world has agreed with for many years,” Leavitt said, adding that the administration believes other nations should help ensure the free flow of energy.
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sought to reassure investors that tensions surrounding the strait would not derail relations between Washington and Beijing. Speaking from Paris during trade discussions with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, Bessent said any delay to Trump’s planned China visit would likely be due to logistics rather than disputes over the conflict.
China has called for an immediate end to hostilities. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian warned that continued military action risks destabilizing global trade and energy markets.
Despite the economic pressure from rising oil prices, U.S. officials have downplayed the impact, saying energy markets will stabilize once the conflict subsides.
