President Donald Trump has urged other countries to take responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that nations reliant on oil passing through this vital chokepoint "must take care" of its passage amid escalating tensions with Iran.
In a series of posts on Truth Social dated March 14, 2026, Trump stated that the United States has "defeated and utterly dismantled Iran" militarily and economically but emphasized a shift toward collective international action. He called on global powers to send warships to the strait, warning that U.S. forces would continue "bombing the hell out of the shoreline" and targeting Iranian vessels to ensure safe navigation. This comes hours after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian military sites at Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export hub, which remains operational despite the attacks.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which about 20% of global oil flows, has been disrupted by Iranian actions including mines, drones, and missile threats, spiking energy prices and fueling recession fears worldwide. Trump specifically appealed to allies like the UK, France, Japan, South Korea, and even China to deploy naval assets, framing it as a "team effort" for harmony and security. Earlier warnings on March 9 threatened Iran with unprecedented military consequences if mines were not removed immediately.
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The U.S. president's comments follow intelligence reports of Iran laying dozens of mines in recent days, with capabilities for hundreds more, prompting preemptive strikes on Iranian mine-laying vessels. Despite briefings from Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine highlighting the risk of blockade, Trump anticipated Tehran would capitulate before fully closing the strait. Iran has retaliated by urging evacuations at UAE ports and closing the strait to enemy-linked ships.
This escalation builds on over two weeks of open conflict, including U.S. and Israeli operations against Iranian targets, with Trump vowing to neutralize threats to make the strait "OPEN, SAFE, and FREE." Allies have yet to confirm deployments, but the call underscores shifting U.S. strategy from unilateral dominance to burden-sharing in the Middle East.
Global markets remain volatile, with analysts warning of prolonged disruptions unless swift multinational intervention occurs. Trump's approach aims to pressure Iran while rallying international support, potentially reshaping alliances in the ongoing war.
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