Trump’s request: ships for a key strait
US President Donald Trump said Sunday that he has asked about seven countries to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. But their calls have not resulted in firm commitments as oil prices soar.
“I demand that these countries come and protect their own territory, because it is their own territory,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. He said the shipping lane is not something the United States needs because of its own access to oil.
He added that China gets about 90% of its oil from the strait, while the United States gets only a minimal amount. He declined to discuss whether China would join the coalition.
“It would be good for other countries to monitor that with us, and we will help. We will work with them,” Trump said.
It had previously made calls to China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom. But the countries did not promise anything.
The answers: evasion and conditions
Britain said Prime Minister Keir Starmer had a conversation with Trump about the importance of reopening the strait. Trump specifically referred to Starmer, who he said initially refused to put British aircraft carriers “in danger.”
“Whether we receive support or not, I can tell you this, and I told you: We are going to remember it,” Trump stressed.
A spokesperson for China’s embassy in the United States said that “all parties bear responsibility” and that China will “strengthen communication.” South Korea said it “took note” of the call and “will coordinate closely.”
France said it is working with other countries on a possible international mission to escort ships. But he stressed that it should be when “circumstances allow it”, when the fighting has subsided.
Germany’s foreign minister, whose country was not mentioned by Trump, was more direct: “Will we soon be an active part of this conflict? No.”
Meanwhile, Iran speaks clearly
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS that Tehran has been “approached by several countries” seeking safe passage for their ships. He commented that a group of ships from “different countries” were allowed passage, without giving details.
Iran has said the strait is open to everyone except the United States and its allies.
“We don’t see any reason why we should talk to the Americans” about finding a way to end the war, Araghchi added.
He noted that Israel and the United States began fighting with coordinated attacks on February 28 while they were in indirect talks over the Iranian nuclear program.
The human cost continues to grow
Iranian attacks have killed at least a dozen civilians in Gulf countries, most of them migrant workers. In Iran, more than 1,300 people have died according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
In Israel, 12 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire. At least 13 US service members have also died. In Lebanon, at least 820 people have been killed since Hezbollah attacked Israel.
In just 10 days, more than 800,000 people – nearly one in seven residents – have been displaced in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, emerging global reserves will soon begin to flow into global markets according to the International Energy Organization (IAEA). They describe this collective action to lower prices as “the greatest liberation in history.”
The IAEA updated the previous announcement to almost 412 million.
