By Ginika Igboke
President Donald Trump said on March 14 that several countries affected by Iran’s attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz are joining the United States in patrolling the strategic oil-shipping route.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that although recent U.S. strikes have significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities, Tehran still retains the ability to threaten ships passing through the narrow waterway with smaller weapons.
“Many countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending warships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the strait open and safe,” he wrote.
Trump did not name the governments that have agreed to participate but said he hopes additional major economies that rely on global energy shipments will join the effort.
“Hopefully, China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and others that are affected by this artificial constraint will send ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a nation that has been totally decapitated,” Trump wrote.
In the meantime, he said U.S. forces will continue targeting remaining Iranian naval assets and striking sites along Iran’s coastline.
Iran has demonstrated the ability to launch attacks from its shoreline and surrounding waters using small boats, drones, naval mines, shore-based missiles, mobile artillery, and submarines against commercial ships traveling through the narrow passage.
“One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait open, safe, and free,” Trump said.
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