President Donald Trump has called for a naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments, as disruptions caused by the US-Israel war on Iran send oil prices soaring.
What has Trump said?
The US president has faced domestic pressure over the ongoing war with Israel, with critics questioning the lack of a clear endgame. US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy wrote on X that the administration had “NO PLAN” for the Strait of Hormuz, adding that Iran has effectively closed the waterway.
Trump has called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to send warships to secure the strait. He claimed “100% of Iran’s military capability” had been destroyed, but acknowledged Tehran could still launch attacks in the area.
“Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others… will send ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. He added that the US would “bomb the hell out of the shoreline” and destroy Iranian vessels. He later extended the invitation to all countries receiving oil through the strait, threatening NATO member states with a “very bad future” if they did not participate.
What has Iran said?
Alireza Tangsiri, naval commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated that claims of destroying Iran’s navy or providing safe escort for oil tankers were false. He asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is “merely under control.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later echoed this, saying the strait remained open to international shipping except for vessels belonging to the US and its allies. Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, suggested the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed to provide leverage during the conflict.
What are the challenges in the Strait of Hormuz?
The Strait of Hormuz, just 21 nautical miles wide at its narrowest point, is the only maritime passage to the Gulf. Shipping lanes within the waterway are even narrower and more vulnerable to attack.
Maritime security expert Alexandru Hudisteanu said “interoperability” would be the biggest hurdle for any coalition, citing potential issues with communication and differing doctrines. He also highlighted the geographic challenges, describing the strait as “a very unforgiving environment” due to missile threats and potential mines.
Providing escorts would be costly and risky, potentially drawing more countries into the war. Hudisteanu added that Iran’s proximity to the shoreline and the congested nature of the strait give it a geographic advantage.
How have countries responded?
No country has publicly agreed to Trump’s call to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz. The UK said it is “intensively looking” at options to help reopen the passage.
China called for hostilities to stop and for all parties to ensure stable energy supply. Japan does not currently plan to dispatch naval vessels, but will continue to examine what measures it can take. France confirmed it will not send ships, maintaining a defensive posture. South Korea is “closely monitoring” the situation and considering measures to ensure the safety of energy transport routes. Australia will not send naval ships.
Are countries negotiating with Iran?
Some countries have been negotiating with Iran to secure passage for their petroleum shipments. Two Indian-flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, despite a critical shortage of cooking gas in India. Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said Tehran had allowed some Indian vessels to pass in a rare exception to the blockade.
A Turkish-owned vessel was granted permission to pass after Ankara negotiated directly with Tehran, with fourteen more Turkish vessels awaiting clearance. France and Italy have reportedly opened talks with Iranian officials, but there has been no official confirmation.
“Iran is affecting maritime supply,” Hudisteanu said. “It’s affecting the maritime security of the region and the entire ecosystem and bringing the entire world to the table as the global price for oil and gas increases.”
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