US President Donald Trump urges allies to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open amid the US-Israel war in Iran. However, no commitments have been made so far. Iran’s IRGC closed the Strait, raising oil to $120/barrel. IEA to release 400 million barrels from emergency stockpiles
US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) asked US allies like France, Japan, South Korea, Britain, and China, among others, to send their warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz “open and safe”. However, the appeal has not brought any commitments so far on Sunday, as oil prices jumped during the war, AP reported.
Washington’s Energy Secretary Chris Wright, in an interview with NBC News, said that he has been in dialogue with some of the countries, adding that he expects China to be a constructive partner in reopening Hormuz, which accounts for roughly one-fifth of global oil exports.
The development comes at a time when the US and Israel’s war in Iran has entered its 16th day with no end in sight so far. Amid the ongoing conflict, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, sending panic among traders and rattling the global energy markets, as oil prices jumped to $120 a barrel earlier this week.
Iran’s military deciding on which vessels to pass: FM
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in an interview with CBS News, said that Tehran has been approached by several countries that have sought safe passage for their vessels. He added, “This is up to our military to decide.” Araghchi also said that several vessels from different countries had been allowed to pass the strait, though he did not provide any details.
Tehran has said that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all countries except the US and its allies.
Araghchi said, “We don’t see any reason why we should talk with Americans” about finding a way to end the war, and added that Israel and the US started the war with coordinated attacks on 28 February despite the ongoing talks between Tehran and Washington.
How have US allies reacted to Trump’s appeal?
Speaking to Sky News, UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said that the UK is intensively working with its allies regarding what can be done, adding that it is important to get the Strait of Hormuz reopened. Miliband also said that ending the war is the “best and surest” way to do it.
South Korea’s foreign ministry said that it has taken note of Trump’s appeal, adding that it will closely coordinate and review the situat