Photo : YONHAP News
United States President Donald Trump has effectively called on five countries, including South Korea, China and Japan, to dispatch warships to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open for shipping.
In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump wrote that many countries affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the strait will be sending warships alongside the United States to keep the waterway open and safe.
He said the United States has already destroyed “100 percent” of Iran’s military capabilities but noted it remains easy for Tehran to send drones, drop mines, or fire short‑range missiles in the waterway.
Trump added that “hopefully,” China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and other affected countries will send vessels to ensure the strait is no longer threatened.
The remarks are viewed as a request rather than a formal demand, as he prefaced the call with “hopefully.”
The comments mark the first time during the conflict with Iran that Trump has explicitly urged countries other than Israel to take part in military operations against Tehran.