President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that multiple nations will be deploying warships alongside the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement comes as the ongoing war enters its third week, bringing growing economic impacts such as high gas prices, increased airfare, and rising shipping costs.
In a post on Truth Social, the president claimed that countries affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the critical waterway will join the US to keep the strait open and safe. However, it remains unclear exactly which nations have formally agreed to participate in this naval deployment.
Trump elaborated later in his lengthy post, expressing his desire for specific nations to join the effort. He stated that he is hopeful China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and others will send vessels to the region.
Addressing the situation, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense stated that they are currently discussing a range of options with allies and partners to ensure regional shipping security. UK Defense Secretary John Healey noted on Thursday that conversations regarding the strait are in their preliminary stages, emphasizing the need for prior de-escalation.
Other international leaders have weighed in on securing the waterway. Following a G7 meeting last week, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for a naval coalition to guarantee free passage through the energy chokepoint. Macron cautioned that organizing such a coalition may take several weeks.
Iran has effectively halted the passage of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. This disruption has triggered a global energy crisis that the administration is struggling to contain amid the resulting economic fallout.
Trump’s statements drew immediate anger from officials in Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the policies of the White House are inviting trouble rather than deterring it.
Araghchi took to the social media platform X on Saturday, describing the touted United States security umbrella as being full of holes. The foreign minister accused the US of begging other nations, including China, for assistance in securing the strait, and he called on neighboring countries to expel foreign aggressors whose sole concern is Israel.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Aziz Reza Tangsiri also posted on X, mocking the president for asking other nations for backup forces. Tangsiri clarified the current status of the waterway from Iran’s perspective, writing that the Strait of Hormuz has not yet been militarily closed, but is instead merely under control.