Donald Trump has called for international warships to help reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz, saying naval forces will “hopefully” be deployed to ensure commercial vessels can pass safely near **Iran’s coastline.
Posting on Truth Social, the US president said several countries could join the effort, including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
The statement came just hours after the US launched strikes on military sites on Kharg Island, the hub through which Iran exports most of its crude oil.
US Strikes Target Iranian Military Infrastructure
Trump claimed the military facilities on Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, had been “obliterated.”
However, he said the United States deliberately avoided targeting oil infrastructure.
“I chose not to hit oil facilities for reasons of decency,” Trump wrote, warning that such sites could become targets if Iran attempts to block ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway is one of the world’s most important energy routes, carrying around 20% of global oil supplies.
Trump also warned that although Iran’s military capability had been significantly weakened, the country could still threaten shipping using drones, naval mines and short-range missiles.
Iran Says Strait Closed Only To “Enemies”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by saying the strait had been closed only to ships belonging to Iran’s enemies.
The comments came amid continued fighting involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, with attacks also affecting several Arab Gulf states.
The conflict, which began on February 28 following US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, has already caused heavy casualties across the region.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, more than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran alone in the past two weeks.
Drone Attack Disrupts UAE Oil Hub
Amid the escalating conflict, operations at the major oil port of Fujairah Port in the United Arab Emirates were temporarily suspended following a drone strike and fire on Saturday morning.
The port, located on the Gulf of Oman, is a key export hub for crude oil and refined fuels. Its importance has grown in recent years because it allows Gulf oil shipments to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
Loading operations were halted while authorities assessed damage, according to people familiar with the situation.
Missile And Drone Attacks Across The Region
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates reported detecting nine missiles and 33 drones fired toward the country on Saturday.
In Jordan, air defenses intercepted 79 ballistic missiles and drones during the past week, though six projectiles were not stopped, leaving nine people injured, according to the Jordanian military.
Meanwhile, Iraq reported that a missile struck a helipad within the compound of the United States Embassy in Baghdad, according to reports citing security officials.
Oil Prices Surge As Shipping Routes Disrupted
The escalating conflict has sent energy markets into turmoil.
Brent crude closed above $100 per barrel, reaching its highest level in nearly four years.
Several Gulf producers — including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait — have reportedly reduced oil production due to disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Qatar, one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas, has temporarily halted LNG operations.
Kharg Island Remains Key To Iran’s Oil Exports
Despite the strikes, shipping data from TankerTrackers.com showed that oil tankers were still berthed at Kharg Island hours after the attacks.
Iranian state media also reported that oil exports from the island were continuing, while authorities said all oil industry workers there remained safe.
However, Iran has warned it will target energy facilities linked to the United States if its own oil infrastructure is attacked.
Risk Of Wider Energy Crisis
Analysts from JPMorgan Chase & Co. said that a direct strike on Kharg’s oil facilities could halt the majority of Iran’s crude exports, potentially triggering severe retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz or against regional energy infrastructure.
Such a scenario could have major consequences for global oil markets, given the strategic importance of the Gulf’s energy supply routes.