Trump asks China, France, Japan to deploy warships to Strait of Hormuz after Iran’s threat

United States President Donald Trump says several countrieswill deploy warships alongside the US to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remainsopen following Iran’s reported attempt to restrict access to the criticalshipping route. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trumpsaid nations affected by disruptions in the waterway would join efforts tosecure it. “Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’sattempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, inconjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open andsafe,” he wrote. The strategic strait is one of the world’s most importantmaritime corridors, carrying a significant share of global oil shipments. Any disruption to the route could affect global energymarkets and international trade. Trump said he hoped major economies reliant on the routewould participate in the effort. “Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, andothers, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to thearea so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that hasbeen totally decapitated,” Trump wrote. However, the US president did not specify which countrieshad formally agreed to deploy naval forces, and there was no immediateconfirmation from allied governments about joining the mission. Trump also warned that despite the “heavy damage” to Iran’smilitary capability, the country could still pose a threat to shipping in thenarrow waterway. He added that the US would continue military operations tosecure the route.“We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s Militarycapability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, ordeliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway,” he said. “In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hellout of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out ofthe water. One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE,and FREE!” The remarks come amid escalating tensions in the MiddleEast, with shipping routes in the Gulf facing growing security risks as theconflict involving Iran intensifies. On March 11, Iran said it will not allow “a single litre ofoil” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for the benefit of the US, Israel,and their allies.

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