US President Donald Trump has warned that the Strait of Hormuz could face disruptions due to ongoing tensions with Iran. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US, along with other nations, could deploy warships to ensure the vital waterway remains open for global trade and energy shipments, reports say.
Trump calls for international naval supportย
Trump urged countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to send ships to the region. Reports say his call is aimed at creating a multinational presence to prevent disruptions and ensure the strait remains fully operational.
While Trump claimed the US had destroyed โ100% of Iranโs military capability,โ he cautioned that Iran could still carry out small-scale attacks using drones, sea mines, or short-range missiles, which could pose risks to passing ships, reports say.
US military readinessย
Trump indicated that US forces would continue military operations near Iranโs coastline, striking any Iranian boats or vessels that threaten the passage.ย โWe will soon get the Hormuz Strait open, safe and free,โ he said.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key maritime route through which a significant portion of the worldโs oil shipments pass.ย
Iran clears safe passage to Indian ships
Moreover, amid the raging conflict in the Middle East, India and Iran have reportedly struck an agreement on the passage of ships from the Strait of Hormuz and a vessel named Shivalik carrying a massive 40,000 metric tonnes of LPG is set to arrive at the Indian coastline in around 7 days, sources said on Friday. Another ship is reported to cross the strait and will dock in India in the coming days.
The big development comes as Iran allows Indian ships to cross through amid the conflict after several rounds of inter-governmental talks between Tehran and New Delhi, the latest being between PM Modi and President Pezeshkian on Thursday.
The Shivalik vessel departed Iran’s Bandar Abbas Port and crossed the Strait a few hours ago. It is being escorted by the Indian Navy on its voyage from the Strait of Hormuz, of which Iran has restricted access amid heightened tensions in the region following the February 28 US-Israel strikes against Iran. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil tankers to the world, has skyrocketed crude oil and energy prices across the globe.
The key development comes after the Iranian Supreme Leader’s representative in India, earlier in the day, said the Strait of Hormuz has not been closed and some ships are passing.