On the 15th day of the widening Middle East conflict, President Donald Trump called on other countries to send warships to help protect shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. Reuters reported that Trump specifically urged countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea and Britain to contribute naval support as the waterway faced growing disruption.
The appeal came as the conflict entered its third week and pressure kept building across the Gulf. Reuters said Trump also warned of more strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub, while Tehran vowed to step up retaliation after earlier U.S. and Israeli attacks.
Why the Strait of Hormuz matters is simple: a huge share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas moves through that narrow passage. Reuters reported that about 20% of global oil shipments pass through the strait, which is why any threat there quickly rattles energy markets.
So far, there has been no confirmed coalition response. Reuters reported that the White House had not confirmed any countries had agreed to Trump’s request, even as Western governments weighed military deployments and tanker escort plans.
The situation has already spilled into global markets. Reuters said oil prices surged in March, with Brent and U.S. crude climbing more than 40% as traders reacted to supply fears, disrupted shipping and the possibility of a longer conflict.
For now, the Strait of Hormuz has become one of the most dangerous pressure points in the conflict. Trump wants allies to help keep it open. Iran is signaling that the confrontation is far from over. And with no immediate diplomatic breakthrough in sight, the risks to regional security and world energy supplies are only getting bigger.
