Trump urges allies to send warships to Strait of Hormuz

· UPI

March 15 (Asia Today) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has urged several countries including South Korea and Japan to send naval vessels to the Strait of Hormuz as tensions escalate in the Middle East and Iran threatens shipping through the vital waterway.

Trump made the request in a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday, saying countries affected by Iran's attempt to block the strait should join the United States in keeping the route open and secure.

He specifically mentioned China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom as nations that rely on the passage for energy shipments.

"I hope the nations affected by this artificial restriction will send ships to the region to ensure the Strait of Hormuz is no longer threatened," Trump wrote.

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The call comes as military tensions in the region intensify following the United States and Israel's campaign against Iran, now entering its third week.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints, with roughly 20% of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through the narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.

Iran's threats and attacks on shipping have already disrupted maritime traffic. According to the British maritime security organization monitoring the region, at least 16 ship attacks and several suspicious incidents have been reported recently.

Many global shipping companies have temporarily halted operations in the area, leaving oil tankers stranded in the Persian Gulf.

International oil prices have surged above $100 per barrel, and some financial institutions warn prices could climb toward $150 if the blockade continues.

Trump said that despite heavy damage to Iran's military capabilities, Tehran could still deploy drones, naval mines or short-range missiles capable of threatening ships in the narrow waterway.

"We will soon make the Strait of Hormuz open, safe and free," Trump wrote, adding that U.S. forces would continue strikes against Iranian coastal targets and vessels.

Trump's public naming of specific countries has been interpreted by analysts as a call for allied nations and major energy importers to share the security burden through multinational escort operations.

For South Korea, the request presents a difficult strategic decision.

About 60% to 70% of South Korea's crude oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making the security of the route critical to the country's economy.

However, sending naval forces into the area would also risk drawing South Korea into the expanding Middle East conflict.

During tensions between Washington and Tehran in 2020, South Korea expanded the operational area of its Cheonghae naval unit, originally deployed to the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy missions, to include waters near the Strait of Hormuz.

At the time, Seoul avoided formally joining a U.S.-led maritime coalition and instead conducted independent operations while maintaining diplomatic relations with Iran.

Analysts say the current situation is far more dangerous because the United States and Israel are now directly striking Iranian territory.

If South Korea were to deploy naval forces into the strait under current conditions, the country's military could become a potential target for Iranian retaliation.

Japan faces a similar dilemma. The country relies on the Middle East for roughly 90% of its crude oil imports.

During a previous crisis in 2019, Japan chose to dispatch maritime self-defense forces independently for intelligence-gathering missions rather than joining a U.S.-led coalition.

Observers say Seoul and Tokyo may again consider independent deployments or limited operations rather than direct participation in a multinational military force.

France has already discussed deploying a naval task group including an aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean and nearby waters to support tanker escort missions.

The United Kingdom is considering additional deployments but has ruled out sending an aircraft carrier, according to reports by the Financial Times.

Trump also suggested that China, a major importer of Iranian oil, should help secure the shipping lane.

Iran's foreign minister dismissed the idea and accused Washington of seeking help from other countries to maintain control of the strait.

Meanwhile, global energy markets remain volatile.

The International Energy Agency recently approved the release of 400 million barrels from emergency reserves, the largest such move on record. The United States also plans to release about 172 million barrels from its strategic petroleum reserve.

Energy analysts say these measures may ease short-term pressure but will not stabilize markets unless shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260315010004131