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The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passageway for global oil transport from the Middle East, has long been a leverage point for Iran. However, this dynamic might soon shift as former President Donald Trump calls for a global coalition to ensure the waterway remains open.
On Saturday morning, Trump took to Truth Social to share his views, stating, “Many countries, particularly those impacted by Iran’s attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz, are joining forces with the United States to keep the strait open and secure.” His message highlights a broad international effort to counter Iran’s actions.
The closure of the strait by Iran has significant implications for global oil supplies, leading to increased gas prices even in the U.S. This is noteworthy, given that the United States, now a net exporter of oil, relies minimally on Middle Eastern oil. Trump is urging nations dependent on the oil passing through this crucial chokepoint to actively participate in securing it.
He further emphasized the potential threats posed by Iran, saying, “Despite having dismantled 100% of Iran’s military capabilities, they can still deploy drones, mines, or missiles within this critical waterway. It is my hope that countries like China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK, which are affected by this constraint, will also send their naval forces to ensure the Strait of Hormuz no longer poses a threat from a nation that has been effectively neutralized.”
The Iranian regime’s use of sea mines, numbering in the thousands, presents a significant risk to vessels navigating the strait. These actions are part of a broader strategy to disrupt and control this essential maritime route.
Trump vowed a massive campaign to knock out Iran’s ability to terrorize the oil tankers transversing the region.
“In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water,” he concluded. “One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!”
Trump added in another Truth Social post five hours later that the countries relying on that Middle East oil must take responsibility for it now, too.
A timelapse video shows marine traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz. (Kpler/Marine Traffic)
“The United States of America has beaten and completely decimated Iran, both Militarily, Economically, and in every other way, but the Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT!” Trump wrote. “The U.S. will also coordinate with those Countries so that everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well. This should have always been a team effort, and now it will be — It will bring the World together toward Harmony, Security, and Everlasting Peace!”
None of those countries gave any immediate indication they would do so. In fact, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed both China and Russia are “strategic partners” supporting defense against U.S. and Israel-led aggression.
“That includes military cooperation,” he told MS Now in an interview Saturday. “I’m not going into the into any details of that, a good cooperation with these countries, politically, economically, even militarily.”
Araghchi is perpetuating a “confused policy,” according to the United Arab Emirates, as the Islamic Revolution Guard contends the strait will remain closed, while the foreign minister suggests all countries other than the U.S. or Israel will be permitted to pass.
“As a matter of fact, the Strait of Hormuz is open,” Araghchi said. “It is only closed to the tankers and ships belong[ing] to our enemies, to those who are attacking us and their allies. Others are free to pass.”
Takayuki Kobayashi, Japan’s ruling party policy chief, told public broadcaster NHK that “the (legal) threshold is very high.”
Japan interprets its pacifist postwar constitution to mean it can deploy its military if the nation’s survival is threatened, but the government would have to invoke a 2015 security law that has not been used.
South Korea’s presidential office said it would decide on Trump’s request after a “careful review.”
France is seeking to assemble a coalition to secure the strait once the security situation stabilizes, while Britain is discussing a range of options with allies to ensure the security of shipping, officials have said.
A satellite image shows the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, vital for global energy supply. (Amanda Macias/Fox News Digital)
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who replaced his slain father and who the U.S. and Israel understand to be injured, has said the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth says the new supreme leader was “disfigured” in the initial strikes that killed his father late last month.
“There is no problem with the new supreme leader,” Araghchi told MS Now. “The system is working.”
“Everything is under control.”