President Donald Trump stated Saturday that “many countries” will send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, as the United States and its allies continue military operations against Iran following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s longtime leader. The President did not specify which nations had agreed to contribute to a naval deployment intended to secure the vital oil shipping lane, but expressed hope that China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom would participate.
The announcement came as the U.S. Military bombed Iranian air defenses on Kharg Island, a key oil processing facility, on Friday. Trump indicated a willingness to escalate further, stating he would “immediately reconsider” a decision not to target Iran’s oil infrastructure should any interference occur with the free passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. He also suggested the U.S. Would actively engage Iranian vessels, stating his administration would be “bombing the shoreline and sinking their vessels.”
The White House has not yet confirmed whether any nations have formally pledged to send warships to the region. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway bordering Iran, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, is considered the world’s most important oil transit chokepoint, with approximately 20 million barrels of oil passing through it daily, representing nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows. The value of this trade is estimated at around $600 billion annually.
Iran has threatened to retaliate against U.S. Interests in the region if its energy infrastructure is attacked, and has already begun targeting oil and other infrastructure around the Gulf, as well as launching attacks against Israel. Industry sources report some oil-loading operations have been suspended in the UAE’s Fujairah emirate, a major ship-refueling hub, with reports of plumes of smoke rising from the area. An Iranian military spokesperson has called on people in the UAE to evacuate ports and docks, alleging they are being used by U.S. Forces.
The U.S. Military campaign, launched with Israel on February 28th, aims to eliminate Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The conflict has prompted concerns about the potential for wider regional escalation and disruption to global oil supplies. Trump’s call for international assistance comes after roughly two weeks of war, and as gas prices rise domestically.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, around 3,000 ships transit the Strait of Hormuz each month. The Pentagon and National Security Council reportedly underestimated Iran’s willingness to close the waterway in response to U.S. Military strikes during the planning stages of the current operation.
