Donald Trump has urged several major powers to help secure the Strait of Hormuz war shipping route as the conflict with Iran enters its third week.
The U.S. president called on France, the United Kingdom, China, Japan and South Korea to send naval forces to protect the critical waterway. The appeal came after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz following joint attacks by the United States and Israel earlier this month.
This narrow sea passage handles about 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Therefore, any disruption has immediate consequences for global energy markets.
Oil prices have already surged roughly 40% since the conflict began.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to spread across the region. On Saturday, Iranian strikes targeted energy facilities in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. The city hosts one of the region’s largest oil storage and export terminals.
Witnesses reported thick black smoke rising from the site shortly after the attack. At the same time, a drone strike hit the United States Embassy in Baghdad. Security sources said it marked the second attack on the diplomatic compound since the war began.
Earlier in the week, Trump said the United States Navy would soon begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. However, he later urged other countries to join the effort.
“Many countries will be sending warships, in conjunction with the United States, to keep the Strait open and safe,” Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social.
He expressed hope that China, France, Japan, South Korea, and Britain would deploy naval vessels to support the operation.
The situation escalated further after U.S. forces struck Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. According to Trump, the strikes destroyed military targets but avoided energy infrastructure. Analysts believe the attack could mark a turning point in the conflict.
Vali Nasr of Johns Hopkins University warned that the escalation could inflame tensions across the Gulf region. Meanwhile, the war has spread beyond Iran. Missile alerts sounded in Jerusalem after Iran launched new attacks toward Israel.
At the same time, explosions were reported in Qatar after authorities intercepted missiles. The conflict has also reignited fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israeli strikes have killed hundreds there, according to local officials.
Iran says U.S. and Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,200 people inside the country. Meanwhile, the United Nations estimates that as many as 3.2 million people have been displaced by the fighting. U.S. officials say their forces have struck more than 15,000 targets in Iran since the war began.
The conflict has also triggered political turmoil in Tehran. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei died during the early stages of the war. Authorities later named his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new leader. Meanwhile, exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi has offered to lead a political transition if the Islamic Republic collapses.
Despite the escalating violence, global leaders continue to call for diplomatic solutions. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said negotiations remain possible.
However, with missile strikes, regional clashes, and naval tensions increasing, the Strait of Hormuz war continues to threaten global energy supplies and regional stability
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