Trump tells oil importers to secure Strait of Hormuz, US will assist

2026-03-15 - 11:22

US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that countries dependent on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz must assume greater responsibility for safeguarding the vital maritime passage, with the United States providing support for these efforts. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that securing the waterway should be a shared obligation among all nations that benefit from the oil flowing through it. "Countries of the world that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT," Trump wrote. The president indicated that Washington would coordinate with participating nations to ensure the initiatives progress "quickly, smoothly, and well," adding that this collective approach should have been implemented from the beginning of the crisis. Strategic Waterway at Center of Regional Conflict The Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial portion of the world's oil supplies transit, has been effectively closed by Iran since March 1. This action followed February 28 joint attacks by Israel and the United States on Iranian territory that resulted in more than 1,200 deaths, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The closure has disrupted global energy markets and heightened concerns about supply security. Türkiye continues to monitor the situation closely as the conflict expands. Tehran has responded to the initial attacks with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure across the region. International Response to Trump's Call Trump's statement signals a potential shift in Washington's approach to securing international waterways, moving toward a burden-sharing model with allied and partner nations. The president's emphasis on collective responsibility comes as several Gulf states and Asian economies heavily dependent on Hormuz oil shipments face increasing pressure to contribute to regional security. The international community now watches to see which nations will answer Trump's call and how Iran might respond to an expanded multinational security presence near its coastline.