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Trump urges global naval support for Hormuz security
US President Donald Trump has appealed to the UK, China, France, Japan, and South Korea to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the critical oil shipping route. The call comes two weeks after the US and Israel launched military action against Iran.
Iran threatens to block key oil corridor
Tehran has vowed to maintain its blockade of the strait, which handles approximately 20% of global oil supplies. Recent attacks on tankers and energy infrastructure have disrupted shipping, triggering a sharp rise in oil prices.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported 16 vessels targeted in the area since hostilities began on 28 February.
US pledges military backing for allied deployments
In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump stated that "many countries" would join the US in securing the strait. He claimed Iran's military capacity had been "100% destroyed" but warned of remaining threats like drones, mines, and short-range missiles.
"Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others 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."
Donald Trump, US President
Trump added that the US would continue bombing Iranian coastal targets and sinking vessels until the strait is "open, safe, and free."
UK weighs options as allies respond cautiously
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed discussions with allies on "a range of options" to protect shipping but stopped short of committing to deployments. France's President Emmanuel Macron indicated willingness to send warships only after the conflict's "most intense phase" subsides.
The UK's sole warship in the region, HMS Dragon, left for Cyprus on Tuesday to reinforce RAF Akrotiri following drone strikes. The Royal Navy no longer maintains minesweepers in Bahrain, limiting its operational capacity.
Political divisions over military involvement
Trump previously dismissed UK support as unnecessary, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of "joining wars after we've already won." Starmer later authorized defensive US strikes from UK bases, citing Iranian threats to British interests.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey demanded Starmer reject Trump's demands, insisting any deployment must serve UK national interests and require parliamentary approval.
Iran warns of retaliation
Tehran has intensified attacks on Gulf energy targets, declaring tankers bound for the US, Israel, or their allies as legitimate targets. Iran's military warned that oil infrastructure on Kharg Island would be destroyed if targeted by US forces.
Trump separately threatened to strike the island's oil facilities if Iran interfered with shipping, claiming the US had already conducted "one of the most powerful bombing raids in Middle East history" there on Friday.
