The United States is planning to announce that several countries have agreed to form a coalition to escort ships through the war-hit Strait of Hormuz as early as next week, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing unnamed American officials.
“We are talking to other countries about policing the straits. It will be nice to have other countries policing with us. We will help. We are getting a good response," Trump said, adding, “It would be interesting to see which country would not help us with this small endeavour of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. Compared to everything else, it is small because Iran has very little firepower left. Their missiles are down to a low number, you can see they are firing very few of them because they do not have many left and because we have decimated their manufacturing capability…"
The move comes a day after US President Donald Trump urged several countries, including close allies such as France and the United Kingdom, to help secure the strategic waterway and keep it “open and safe".
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes. The conflict erupted on February 28 following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, after which Tehran launched retaliatory strikes on US bases in the region.
American officials told WSJ that discussions were still underway about when the escort operations could begin – either before or after the end of the hostilities in the Middle East.
The White House declined to comment, the report said, adding that battlefield conditions could influence the timing of any announcement.
Several countries, including some close US allies, have appeared cautious about Trump’s public call for nations to send warships to help container vessels pass through the Strait of Hormuz unharmed.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that he hoped countries such as China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom would send ships to the area. He said these countries were affected by the disruption caused by the closure of the strait.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told NBC that he had been in dialogue with some of the countries mentioned by the president. He added that he expected China would be “a constructive partner" in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway, effectively closed since the first week of March, is a vital route through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply passes. The disruption to merchant shipping has pushed fuel prices higher around the world.
However, there has been little public commitment from governments regarding the proposed naval mission.
The United Kingdom said Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed with Trump the importance of reopening the strait to end disruption to global shipping. He also spoke separately with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the issue.
China’s embassy in the United States said all parties had a responsibility to ensure a stable and uninterrupted energy supply. It added that Beijing would strengthen communication with relevant parties to de-escalate the conflict.
South Korea said it had taken note of Trump’s appeal and would coordinate closely with Washington while reviewing the situation carefully.
Trump is also expected to raise the issue directly when Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets him later this week at the White House.
France earlier said it was working with partners in Europe, India and Asia on a possible international mission to escort ships through the strait, but stressed such a move could happen only when circumstances permit and the fighting has subsided.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told local media that Berlin was reluctant to join the mission, saying: “Will we soon be an active part of this conflict? No."
Since Iran warned merchant ships against attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, maritime traffic in the region has nearly come to a standstill.
Last week, explosive-laden boats allegedly deployed by Iranian forces attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters. The vessels caught fire and one crew member, an Indian national, was killed.
Source: News18