Trump Urges Allies to Send Warships to Secure Strait of Hormuz; China Rejects Call

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has called on major economies to deploy naval forces to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, warning that threats to the critical energy corridor could disrupt global oil supplies and international trade.

In a series of messages posted on his Truth Social platform on March 14, Trump said countries that rely heavily on oil shipments through the narrow waterway should contribute to keeping it open and safe.

“Many countries, especially those affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending warships, in conjunction with the United States, to keep the strait open and safe,” Trump wrote.

The U.S. president also urged several major economies to participate in the effort, including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, arguing that nations benefiting from the passage of energy supplies through the strait share responsibility for protecting it.

“Countries of the world that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help a lot,” Trump wrote, adding that Washington would coordinate with partners to restore safe navigation as quickly as possible.

The comments come amid escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran following a series of military strikes on Iranian targets and retaliatory threats from Tehran. The waterway, located between Iran and Oman, handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil shipments and remains one of the most strategically sensitive chokepoints in global energy markets.

Trump said U.S. forces are prepared to continue operations aimed at preventing attacks on commercial shipping, warning that Iranian naval units and coastal threats could be targeted if they attempt to disrupt traffic in the strait.

The call for allied naval deployments reflects growing concern in Washington that continued instability in the Gulf could threaten energy supplies and push oil prices higher, adding pressure on global economies already facing volatile markets.

Several governments named by Trump have so far responded cautiously, emphasizing diplomacy and consultation with allies before committing to any military role in the region. Officials in Europe and Asia have stressed the need to avoid further escalation while ensuring that international shipping routes remain secure.

China has also rejected the latest call for foreign naval deployments, urging restraint and emphasizing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the region.

The crisis around the Strait of Hormuz has become one of the most significant geopolitical flashpoints in recent years, placing the stability of global energy flows at the center of an increasingly tense confrontation between Washington and Tehran.