The United States is preparing to announce a coalition of nations to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, potentially as early as this week, amid escalating tensions and soaring oil prices following conflict in the Middle East. President Donald Trump has publicly demanded that approximately seven countries contribute warships to ensure the waterway remains “open and safe,” but has yet to secure firm commitments from allies.
Discussions regarding the timing of the U.S.-led naval operations – whether before or after a potential resolution to the current conflict, which began on February 28 with U.S. And Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation – are ongoing, according to U.S. Officials. The White House has not yet issued a formal statement on the matter.
Trump has warned that NATO faces a “highly bad” future if its members fail to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical conduit for global oil supplies. He has argued that, mirroring U.S. Aid to Ukraine, European nations should seize responsibility for protecting the vital shipping lane, which carries approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil. “If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO,” Trump stated in remarks to the Financial Times.
The President also indicated that an upcoming summit with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping could be postponed pending Beijing’s stance on the issue. Trump emphasized that China, along with several European countries, is heavily reliant on oil transported through the Strait of Hormuz. “It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” he said.
According to Trump, the U.S. Is currently in discussions with around “seven” countries regarding assistance in reopening the Strait. He stated, “I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their territory,” without naming the specific governments involved. He later suggested, via social media, that China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain, and others should participate.
So far, responses from U.S. Allies have been muted. Both Australia and Japan have indicated they will not deploy warships to the Strait following Trump’s request, according to reports.
U.S. Officials have suggested the conflict with Iran “would end within weeks,” anticipating a subsequent decline in energy costs, despite Iran’s assertions of continued strength and readiness to defend itself. Trump has threatened further strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub and has expressed reluctance to pursue a deal to end the conflict, which has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.
Crude oil prices are currently hovering around $100 a barrel. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that a resolution to the conflict is expected to lead to a rebound in supplies and a decrease in prices, adding, “This conflict will certainly come to the end in the next few weeks – could be sooner than that … And we’ll notice a rebound in supplies and a pushing down of prices after that.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has refuted claims of seeking a ceasefire or negotiations, stating, “We are ready to defend ourselves for as long as it takes.”
