US President Donald Trump has called on the United Kingdom and other allied nations to join the United States in deploying naval forces to secure the strategic Strait of Hormuz, as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.
In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the waterway must remain open despite what he described as attempts by Iran to block it.
“Despite Iran’s attempted closure, one way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!” the president wrote.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, linking the Persian Gulf with global markets.
A significant portion of the world’s oil shipments passes through the narrow waterway each day, making it a vital artery for international energy supplies.
However, the ongoing conflict in the region has turned the shipping lane into a flashpoint.
According to UK Maritime Trade Operations, at least 16 commercial ships operating in and around the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz have been attacked since the war began.
The situation escalated further on Thursday when Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed that Tehran would continue blocking the strait as part of its response to ongoing military strikes.
Shipping lane restriction
Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi suggested the shipping lane would only be restricted for countries Tehran considers its “enemies”.
Meanwhile, fighting continues across the region as the Israel Defense Forces said Iran launched six waves of strikes on Saturday, intensifying the confrontation between the two sides.
The conflict is also taking a heavy toll on civilians as an Iranian government spokesperson said about 120 schools have been severely damaged over the past two weeks of fighting. Residents in several cities say daily life has been deeply disrupted.
A woman from Karaj described the situation as unbearable. “My life is basically paralysed,” she said. “All I can think about now is survival.”
As hostilities intensify and global energy markets grow increasingly nervous, international pressure is mounting for efforts to keep the vital Strait of Hormuz open and secure.
