Trump Urges Allies to Deploy Warships to Protect Strait of Hormuz After Iranian Attacks

US President Donald Trump has called on allied nations to send naval forces to help secure the vital Strait of Hormuz following a series of attacks on commercial shipping linked to tensions with Iran.

Trump suggested that countries including the United Kingdom, Japan, China and South Korea could contribute warships to escort tankers through the narrow waterway.

However, defence analysts say the proposal may be premature, particularly as there is little indication that the conflict in the region is close to ending.

Even the United States Navy is not currently escorting tankers through the shipping corridor, which links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serves as one of the world’s most important routes for oil exports.

The strait has become increasingly dangerous for commercial vessels, with several tankers already reported to have been struck while attempting to pass through the area.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron, president of France, said his country would be willing to deploy naval forces to the region but only for what he described as a “purely escort mission.”

Macron added that such a deployment would likely occur only after the most intense phase of the conflict had subsided.

Trump’s appeal for allied support comes despite comments he made last week suggesting the United States did not require additional military help from Britain.

At the time, Trump said the US did not need the UK to deploy an aircraft carrier to the region “after we’ve already won.”

The Royal Navy operates two aircraft carriers, including HMS Prince of Wales. The vessel has recently been placed on high readiness but is currently scheduled to sail to the North Atlantic rather than the Middle East.

At present, the Royal Navy has no warships directly stationed in the region. However, the destroyer HMS Dragon is on its way to provide additional air defence support for Cyprus as tensions continue to rise across the wider Middle East.