Trump Calls for International Naval Coalition to Secure Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Regional Conflict
(Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump has issued a renewed appeal for a multinational naval force to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil artery, as hostilities between the U.S.-Israel alliance and Iran spill into a third week with no diplomatic off-ramp in sight.
The president, writing on his Truth Social platform, said warships would "hopefully" be sent to the area near Iran's coast to protect commercial shipping. He suggested China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK should contribute vessels, though details on the proposed coalition's timeline and command structure remained vague.
The call for a maritime escort mission follows a significant U.S. strike on military installations on Iran's Kharg Island, the nation's primary oil export terminal. Trump claimed the facilities were "obliterated" but said he refrained from targeting oil infrastructure "for reasons of decency," warning that such assets would be hit if Iran interfered with strait traffic.
The conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iran on February 28, has now claimed approximately 3,750 lives across the region, according to government and NGO tallies. The human cost is mounting alongside the economic toll. Brent crude surged above $100 a barrel, reaching a near four-year high, after Iran's de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz forced major Gulf producers to curb output.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted the strait was only closed to ships from "enemies," as Tehran continues asymmetric attacks on neighboring Gulf states and energy infrastructure. On Saturday, a drone attack suspended operations at the UAE's key Fujairah oil port, a critical export hub that bypasses Hormuz. Iranian officials claimed missiles that hit Kharg originated from inside the UAE.
Diplomatic efforts appear stalled. Reuters reported Saturday that the Trump administration rebuffed allies' attempts to initiate talks, while Iran has so far rejected ceasefire proposals. A separate French plan to end parallel fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah is under review by Washington and Jerusalem.
The U.S. State Department on Saturday ordered all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately, citing a "significant threat" from Iran-aligned militias. The warning came a day after a reported missile strike hit a helipad within the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad.
Analyst & Public Reaction:
"Forming an international flotilla is a logical, if belated, step to deter Iranian harassment and reassure global markets," said Marcus Thorne, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center. "However, the lack of clear rules of engagement and the inflamed regional context make any miscalculation near the strait extremely dangerous."
"This is a reckless escalation that turns an international waterway into a potential flashpoint for a world war," fired back Leila Hassan, a political commentator and former diplomat. "Trump is outsourcing his conflict to other nations while refusing diplomacy. Sending more warships is like pouring gasoline on a fire. It's a political stunt that risks catastrophic entanglement."
"The immediate focus for traders is whether Fujairah's damage is lasting," noted David Chen, an oil analyst at Energy Aspects in Singapore. "If that bypass route is compromised long-term, the market's buffer is gone, and prices will reflect a permanent risk premium until Hormuz reopens fully."
"The human suffering is being overshadowed by the oil price headlines," added Rebecca Shaw, a researcher with the International Crisis Group. "With thousands dead and millions across the region living under the threat of missiles and drones, the urgent need is for a ceasefire, not a naval armada that could widen the war."
Regional attacks continued overnight. Jordan reported intercepting dozens of missiles and drones, while debris from intercepted projectiles caused damage in central Dubai. Iran warned it would target U.S.-linked energy facilities across the Middle East if its own oil infrastructure is attacked, setting the stage for a potentially devastating cycle of retaliation.
--With assistance from Dan Williams, Patrick Sykes, Fiona MacDonald, Anthony Di Paola and María Paula Mijares Torres.
(Updates with details on Fujairah port attack, analyst comments, and regional casualty figures.)
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