• President Trump calls on other nations to secure the Strait of Hormuz, asserting the U.S. doesn't need the oil flowing through this critical waterway.
  • Oil prices remain over $100 a barrel as the blockade continues, with Trump predicting a sharp drop once the passage reopens.
  • International responses are mixed, with key allies like Japan and Australia declining to send warships, while the U.K. commits to a collective plan.

President Trump has urged a coalition of nations to take responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that the United States "doesn't need" the oil flowing through this narrow sea passage, which funnels nearly a fifth of the world's oil to market. In a statement, Trump claimed the U.S. has "completely decimated Iran" militarily and economically, but stressed that other countries reliant on Middle Eastern oil must lead efforts to reopen the strait, with American support. "It's something that we don't need. And these countries do need," he said, according to people familiar with the matter.

Efforts to build an international coalition have hit a snag, with Japan and Australia already stating they won't send warships or order maritime security to the passage. Trump has been in contact with approximately seven countries, including hopes that China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom would contribute naval assets. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer committed the U.K. to working with allies on a "viable collective plan," though he cautioned it will be "not easy" and emphasized the U.K. won't be drawn into a wider war in Iran. The European Union is seeking "more strategic clarity" about U.S. and Israeli objectives before committing resources, sources say.

Oil markets are feeling the strain, with prices holding above $100 a barrel as the blockade persists. Trump predicted oil will "drop like a rock" and "come tumbling down as soon as it's over," claiming the conflict will end "pretty quickly," though he provided no specific timeline. The closure has allowed Iran to impose a financial cost on the U.S., its Gulf allies, and global markets, giving Tehran leverage despite being militarily outgunned, analysts note. Asia, which receives roughly 70% of all crude oil shipped through the strait, has suffered most, threatening global energy security.

Military developments add to the tension. The Pentagon recently conducted a "large-scale precision strike" on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil hub about 300 miles northwest of the strait, destroying naval mine storage facilities and missile bunkers while preserving oil infrastructure, according to U.S. Central Command. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that U.S.-Israeli strikes have diminished Iran's missile and drone launches by 90%, though attacks continue. In response, Iran's armed forces warned they would retaliate against attacks on oil and gas infrastructure with reciprocal strikes on Gulf allies, specifically singling out the United Arab Emirates. Iran's new Supreme Leader has vowed to continue blocking the strait, raising escalation risks.

Trump is also applying pressure on China, suggesting he may delay his scheduled visit at the month's end unless Beijing commits to helping reopen the strait, given its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern oil. He threatened that "it would be very bad for the future of NATO if it refuses to help," highlighting the geopolitical stakes. Without a broader coalition, the U.S. might face increased burdens in maintaining regional stability, experts say. The situation presents a dual risk: reopening the strait could ease oil prices but might trigger Iranian escalatory responses that further destabilize markets. Attempts to reach Iranian officials for comment were unsuccessful.

Correction: An earlier version misstated the location of Kharg Island; it is approximately 300 miles northwest of the Strait of Hormuz.