Trump Announces International Naval Effort to Keep Strait of Hormuz Open

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that several countries will join the United States in deploying warships to the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the strategic maritime passage remains open and safe amid escalating tensions with Iran.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said several countries affected by Iran’s attempts to close the Strait are expected to participate in the international naval mission. These include China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, among others that depend heavily on the vital waterway for global energy trade.

The US president claimed that American forces had destroyed what he described as “100 percent of Iran’s military capabilities,” but cautioned that Tehran could still threaten maritime navigation by deploying drones, planting sea mines, or launching short-range missiles in the area.

Trump added that US forces would continue military operations along the coast, including targeting Iranian boats and vessels, to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping as soon as possible.

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions following the outbreak of conflict between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other. Since the escalation began, Tehran has significantly restricted navigation through the strait, a critical chokepoint through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass.

Earlier this month, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the closure of the strait, warning that it would attack any vessel attempting to cross the strategic passage.

However, a senior Iranian official told CNN on Saturday that Tehran is considering allowing a limited number of oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, provided that oil shipments are sold using the Chinese yuan.

The Iranian navy had also confirmed two days earlier that it would follow orders from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who emphasized in a recent message the importance of keeping the passage closed.

Meanwhile, Trump indicated that US naval vessels could soon begin escorting oil tankers through the strait, while urging ship owners to show courage and continue navigating the critical maritime corridor.