Trump appeals to other countries to send warships to keep Strait of Hormuz 'open and safe'

US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump has appealed to China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and others to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz “open and safe”, but it’s brought no commitments as oil prices soar during his and Israel’s war with Iran.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS that Tehran has been “approached by a number of countries” seeking safe passage for their vessels, “and this is up to our military to decide”.

He said a group of vessels from “different countries” had been allowed to pass, without providing details.

Iran has said the strait, through which one fifth of global oil exports normally pass, is open to all except the United States and its allies.

Araghchi added that “we don’t see any reason why we should talk with Americans” about finding a way to end the war, noting that Israel and the US started the fighting with coordinated attacks on February 28 during indirect talks on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Trump said that he has demanded that about seven countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

UK response

In the first responses to Trump’s demand for help, UK prime minister Keir Starmer avoided the White House’s calls to deploy warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Instead, Britain is currently mulling over the possibility of sending mine-hunting drones to the region amid worries of an Iranian build-up of explosives in the narrow sea passage.

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Starmer is expected to make an address later today where he will emphasise a focus on helping households with living costs is “my first priority” as he announces a subsidy for those who use heating oil to warm their homes, after they faced price spikes caused by the war.

Tehran has accused the United States of using “ports, docks and hideouts” in the United Arab Emirates to launch strikes on Kharg Island, home to the main terminal handling Iran’s oil exports, without providing evidence, as oil prices soared.

Trump said the US is negotiating with countries heavily reliant on Middle East crude to join a coalition to police the waterway, but declined to name them.

In an interview yesterday with the Financial Times, Trump said China’s reliance on oil from the Middle East means it ought to help with a new coalition he is trying to put together to get oil tanker traffic moving.

Dubai flights temporarily suspended

Dubai International Airport — the world’s busiest — suspended operations after a drone struck a fuel tank, starting a fire.

Authorities said it was quickly contained and no injuries were reported.

Iran has taken aim at US assets but also civilian infrastructure, including landmarks, airports, ports and oil facilities around the Gulf, after US-Israeli attacks decimated its leadership.

On Wednesday, Dubai’s media office said two falling drones wounded four people near the airport.

The Emirati defence ministry has reported six deaths since the war began, including four civilians and two military personnel, who died in a helicopter crash blamed on a technical malfunction.