President Donald Trump has called on several major nations to deploy warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, amid escalating challenges in the ongoing U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran, now in its third week.
The conflict, launched under Operation Epic Fury, began more than two weeks ago with joint U.S. and Israeli strikes that targeted Iranian leadership—including the assassination of the Supreme Leader—and major military infrastructure across the country. The operation has resulted in over 1,300 deaths in Iran and the loss of 13 U.S. service members.
Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks, including new strikes reported on Sunday against several Gulf states. These actions have effectively disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway off Iran’s coast through which a significant portion of the world’s oil passes. The disruptions have driven sharp increases in global oil prices, with Brent crude futures continuing to climb as markets grapple with uncertainty.
In statements over the weekend, Trump emphasized that the U.S. has “decimated” Iran militarily and economically but stressed that nations reliant on oil transit through the strait should contribute to its security. He specifically expressed hope that China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and others would send warships to help keep the passage “open and safe.” Trump noted that the U.S. would coordinate efforts and provide substantial support, describing it as a necessary “team effort” rather than a solely American responsibility.
Rosemary Kelanic, director of the Middle East program at Defense Priorities, analyzed the proposal in an interview. She acknowledged the logical basis for Trump’s appeal: virtually every country consumes oil and is harmed by closures or disruptions in the strait, including non-allies like China, which faces severe impacts from price spikes. However, Kelanic described the mission as highly dangerous, requiring significant resources that the U.S. may currently lack in sufficient quantity in the region.
She expressed skepticism about widespread participation, citing the operation’s risks— including Iran’s fortified coastal positions, missile batteries, drone launchers, sea drones, fast attack vessels, and short reaction times for defenses (as little as two minutes in narrow sections only a few miles from shore). Coordinating multiple militaries could add further complications. Kelanic also pointed to political factors, noting that some allies may hesitate due to prior tensions, including the U.S. not fully consulting them before initiating strikes against Iran, which has left “ruffled feathers.”
On the feasibility of reopening the strait, Kelanic highlighted doubts about fully neutralizing threats militarily without accepting high levels of risk, casualties, and costs. Markets, she said, reflect best guesses rather than certainty, with rising oil prices potentially making transit economically viable only at very high thresholds—but no one knows precisely when or if that point arrives. She noted surprise at Iran’s sustained ability to impose regional costs despite leadership losses, attributing this to its resilient command structure and shift to attrition warfare.
The U.S. has intensified operations, including a major bombing raid that Trump described as obliterating every military target on Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export hub. Trump has threatened to target the island’s oil infrastructure if disruptions continue, aiming to deny Iran export revenue—though Iran exports only 1 to 1.5 million barrels per day (already limited by sanctions), potentially blunting the economic impact. Iran has warned that strikes on oil facilities would provoke escalated regional attacks on energy targets.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has indicated the conflict could resolve in the coming weeks, expressing optimism in public statements. The Pentagon is deploying approximately 2,500 Marines and additional support personnel to the Middle East, potentially for missions such as securing islands in the strait or supporting ship escorts—though such operations would face extreme dangers from guerrilla tactics, swarms, and geography.
Iran’s retaliation has particularly targeted the United Arab Emirates, viewed by Tehran as close to both the U.S. and Israel (via the Abraham Accords), serving as a way to strike at multiple adversaries. Gulf states, lacking U.S.-level defenses, face pressure for protection, with some allies like France and Britain activating forces to aid partners.
Broader dynamics include Iran’s attrition strategy against air defenses—Israel has pushed back on reports of critically low interceptors, though conserving them remains vital to limit casualties from incoming attacks. Oil rerouting via Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline is under way, but risks from Iran or proxies like the Houthis persist.
As the war enters its third week, the focus has shifted toward securing the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump’s multinational appeal underscoring the global stakes in energy security amid a conflict that has defied initial expectations of a rapid conclusion.