Donald Trump declared on Saturday that multiple nations would dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz, as the US-led military campaign against Iran entered its third week with no end in sight. The US president called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK to contribute naval vessels to keep the critical waterway open. His remarks came after American bombers struck Iran’s Kharg Island oil hub, sending shockwaves through global energy markets.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied gas normally flows, has been effectively shut down by Iran since the conflict began on February 28. Tehran responded to the US-Israeli offensive by launching daily strikes across the Gulf region. On Saturday, Iranian ballistic missiles rained down on the United Arab Emirates, forcing suspension of oil-loading operations at Fujairah, a major global ship-refuelling hub.
Iran’s military threatened to strike any regional facility tied to American interests, while its foreign minister called on neighbouring countries to expel US forces. Iranian military spokespersons urged civilians near UAE ports and what they called “American hideouts” to leave the area. An adviser to the UAE president condemned the attacks as “terrorist aggression” but said the country was still prioritising restraint.
The economic fallout was mounting rapidly. Energy analysts warned that oil prices already surging since the war began could climb from $120 to $150 per barrel if Kharg Island was further damaged. The island, located 15 miles off Iran’s coast, handles the vast majority of Iran’s crude oil exports. The deployment of 2,500 additional US marines and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli signalled Washington’s deepening military commitment in the region.
Trump told reporters that US strikes had effectively destroyed most of Kharg Island but hinted further attacks were possible. He declined to set an end date for the conflict, saying it would last “as long as it’s necessary.” With over 1,400 people reported dead in Iran, 13 in Israel, and roughly 20 across the Gulf, analysts warned the window to avoid a full-blown global economic crisis was narrowing fast.