Iran attacks: Trump calls for international naval presence in Strait of Hormuz
Donald Trump called on the United Kingdom and other countries to join the US in sending ships to help defend the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, the US president says despite “Iran’s attempted closure” of the passage, “one way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!”.
The US president added: “Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area.”
Iranian strikes have all but halted maritime traffic in the strait, through which a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally pass. It is just 54 kilometers (34 miles) wide at its narrowest point.
With oil prices spiking, Trump was asked Friday when the US Navy would begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. “It’ll happen soon, very soon,” he said.
