It appears US allies are finally stepping up.
President Donald Trump revealed Monday that several countries are preparing to assist the United States in protecting the critical Strait of Hormuz after Iran launched a series of attacks on commercial ships in the region.
Speaking from the White House, Trump said American forces have already delivered significant blows to Iran’s ability to threaten global shipping.
“We’re hammering their capacity to threaten commercial shipping,” Trump told reporters. “More than 30 Iranian mine-laying ships have already been destroyed.”
The president warned that Iran has long tried to use the narrow waterway as leverage over the global economy — but said that strategy is quickly coming to an end.
Trump Urges Allies To Share Responsibility
Trump also made it clear that the United States cannot be expected to carry the burden alone.
According to the president, his administration has contacted multiple nations about joining a coalition to protect shipping traffic moving through the strategic corridor.
At least seven countries are currently being asked to contribute naval support or security operations.
“We’ll have a list,” Trump said. “Some countries are stepping up, and we’re going to appreciate that. Others may disappoint us. And we’ll make that known.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to announce the names of participating countries once final agreements are reached.
Why The Strait Of Hormuz Is So Important
The Strait of Hormuz is widely considered one of the most important energy choke points in the world.
Roughly one-fifth of the global oil supply travels through the passage every year, connecting the Persian Gulf to international shipping lanes.
Trump noted that several major economies depend heavily on this route for their energy supplies:
- Japan receives roughly 95% of its oil imports through the strait
- China relies on the waterway for about 90% of its oil shipments
- South Korea gets roughly 35% of its oil supply through the passage
Because of that dependence, Trump suggested many of those countries have a clear interest in helping secure the region.
“These countries literally depend on it,” Trump said. “They should be very happy to help us protect it.”
Trump Says America Is Strong Enough — But Allies Should Help
The president emphasized that the United States military is fully capable of protecting global shipping if necessary.
“My attitude is that we don’t need anybody,” Trump said. “We’re the strongest nation in the world.”
However, Trump said the situation is revealing which international partners are truly willing to stand alongside the United States when global stability is threatened.
“In some cases I’m asking them not because we need them,” Trump added. “I want to see how they react.”
European Leaders Respond
Trump said he recently spoke with Emmanuel Macron about the situation.
The president said France has been generally supportive of the effort.
“On a scale of zero to ten, I’d say he’s been about an eight,” Trump said.
However, Trump expressed frustration with the response from the United Kingdom.
“I was not happy with the UK,” Trump said. “They should be involved enthusiastically. We’ve been protecting these countries for years through NATO.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged Monday that discussions are still underway to finalize a plan to secure the shipping corridor.
“We are working with partners and with President Trump to bring together a credible plan,” Starmer told reporters in London.
He suggested the effort will likely involve a broad coalition of international partners rather than a formal NATO operation.
Iran Attacks Send Oil Prices Surging
The urgency surrounding the mission follows a series of recent attacks on commercial vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
Seven ships were reportedly damaged during a 48-hour period last week, sparking fears of a wider disruption to global energy markets.
Oil prices surged to approximately $106 per barrel, while gasoline prices in the United States have jumped by roughly 80 cents per gallon nationwide in the past month.
Energy analysts warn that continued instability in the region could push prices even higher if shipping traffic is further disrupted.
A Global Test Of Leadership
Trump said the situation represents a major test of international cooperation.
Countries that rely heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for energy should be willing to help protect it, the president argued.
“We’re going to see who stands with us,” Trump said.
With negotiations continuing and tensions rising in the Middle East, the coming weeks may reveal which nations are willing to step forward — and which ones choose to remain on the sidelines.