Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
U.S. President Donald Trump has called on countries that depend on Middle Eastern oil shipments to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions between Washington and Tehran intensify and Iran renews attacks on energy infrastructure across the Gulf.
In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said nations that rely on crude passing through the strategic waterway should take responsibility for protecting it, warning that global energy supplies could be threatened if the route is disrupted.
“Countries that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage,” Trump wrote, reiterating earlier calls for international participation in maritime security operations.
The strait, which lies between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. Roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption passes through the narrow shipping lane linking the Persian Gulf with international markets.
Iran vows to block key shipping route
The renewed U.S. appeal came shortly after Iran’s newly installed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed to continue efforts to block traffic through the strait amid the ongoing confrontation with Washington and its allies.
Tehran’s threats to disrupt the waterway have raised alarm among global energy markets and shipping companies, as any prolonged closure could trigger sharp spikes in oil prices and widespread economic repercussions.
The war of words between Washington and Tehran followed a series of U.S. strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure, including facilities on Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export terminal in the Gulf.
Trump claimed the strikes had “totally obliterated” military targets on the island, describing the site as “Iran’s crown jewel” of energy infrastructure. Iranian authorities have not confirmed the extent of the damage.
Iran retaliates with drone strike in UAE
Iran responded with a drone attack targeting energy facilities in the United Arab Emirates, sending plumes of black smoke over the port city of Fujairah after explosions were reported near a major oil hub.
The strike marked one of the most significant attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure since the latest escalation began, raising fears that the conflict could increasingly threaten commercial shipping and global oil supplies.
Regional officials and energy analysts warned that attacks on ports, refineries and export terminals could have immediate consequences for energy markets, particularly if they spread to additional Gulf states.
Iranian officials issue warnings
Former Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki warned that Iran could capture U.S. personnel if Washington attempted to seize or interfere with Iranian oil facilities, including those on Kharg Island.
His remarks reflected increasingly aggressive rhetoric from Tehran as the conflict expands beyond direct military strikes to include threats against shipping routes and energy infrastructure.
Conflicting signals from Washington
While Trump has repeatedly claimed that the United States has already dealt decisive blows to Iranian capabilities, officials within his administration have offered more cautious assessments of the conflict’s trajectory.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in recent remarks that the confrontation with Iran could extend for a prolonged period, suggesting that current operations may represent only the early phase of a broader campaign.
According to individuals familiar with internal discussions, the varying messages coming from Washington reflect competing views among Trump’s advisers and political allies over how aggressively the conflict should be pursued.
Some members of the president’s political base and senior advisers have reportedly warned that a prolonged war could carry significant political risks ahead of upcoming U.S. midterm elections.
Growing international concern
The escalation around the Strait of Hormuz has heightened global concern about the security of energy supplies and maritime routes in the Gulf.
Energy analysts say that even temporary disruptions to shipping in the strait could send oil prices sharply higher and intensify economic pressures worldwide, particularly for countries heavily dependent on imported crude.
Diplomatic efforts by regional and international actors are continuing in an attempt to prevent further escalation, but the situation remains volatile as military exchanges and retaliatory attacks continue across the Gulf region.
