Trump claims international coalition will send war ships to reopen the strait of Hormuz
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President Trump speaks during a news conference about U.S. strikes on Iran at Trump National Doral Miami on March 9. Photo: Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images
President Trump claimed on Saturday the U.S. and several other countries will send war ships to the Gulf to reopen commercial shipping in the strait of Hormuz.
Why it matters: The attacks in the strait of Hormuz brought commercial shipping to and from the Gulf to an almost complete halt, dramatically disrupted oil exports from the region and destabilized global energy markets.
- U.S., Israeli and Western officials say the situation at the strait has been the key concern for the Trump administration in recent days.
What he is saying: "Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran's attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
- While claiming the U.S. has "destroyed 100% of Iran's Military capability," Trump acknowledged the Iranians are still sending drones, dropping mines and launching anti-ship missiles against vessels in the strait.
- "Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated," he added.
Driving the news: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is sending an amphibious assault ship, the USS Tripoli, and its Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East amid the crisis at the strait of Hormuz.
- The Marine expeditionary unit will be able to conduct ground operations if ordered. The U.S. official declined to comment on that possibility.
- On Friday the U.S. military conducted a massive strike on Kharg Island in Iran - the center of the country's oil exports.
- The U.S. military Central Command said in a statement that the "large-scale precision" strike on Kharg Island destroyed naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and multiple other military sites. Overall 90 military targets on the island were attacked.
Between the lines: The strike was a "shot across the bow" by Trump to signal to the Iranians they should stop closing the Strait of Hormuz which has dramatically disrupted the global oil market.
- Trump made clear in a post on Truth Social that the oil facilities on the island were not targeted this time, but warned they will be if Iran doesn't stop its attacks on ships in the Strait.
What to watch: Sources told Axios on Friday that before military escorts of commercial ships would begin, the U.S. military is planning potential operations for taking out land-based anti-ship missiles that the Iranians have deployed in the Strait area.
- President Trump confirmed it in his post on Saturday.
- "In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water. One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!" he wrote.
Go deeper: U.S. conducts major bombing of strategic Iran Island, Trump says
