After days of insisting that the US would “secure” the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump indicated Sunday that perhaps the United States should not be involved at all. He argued that countries whose oil shipments pass through the crucial waterway should take responsibility for its protection.
Earlier, Trump had called on at least seven nations—including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom—to deploy warships to keep the strait open amid ongoing Iranian strikes in the region. However, the response from allies has been lukewarm. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi cited constitutional restrictions on military deployment, while Australia confirmed it would not send naval vessels. European Union nations are still debating whether to expand their limited naval presence in the Gulf.
Trump also suggested that his planned visit to Beijing at the end of March might be delayed if China does not participate in protecting the strait. He emphasized that China relies on the waterway for around 90 percent of its oil imports.
The US had considered deploying 5,000 Marines to the region and potentially escalating operations beyond airstrikes. Trump further warned that NATO could face a “very bad” future if member nations fail to assist. Meanwhile, UN climate chief Simon Stiell highlighted that dependence on fossil fuels poses risks to national security and sovereignty, adding a broader perspective to the ongoing crisis.