The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified over the weekend as Donald Trump urged allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran vowed to expand retaliatory attacks across the region.
The US president has called on countries dependent on Gulf energy supplies to help secure the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to global markets. Roughly a fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass through the strait, making it one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.
Trump said partners including Britain, France, Japan and South Korea should contribute naval forces to keep the passage open, arguing that countries benefiting from the trade should help safeguard it.
The appeal comes amid fresh threats of escalation. Mr Trump warned that the United States could carry out further strikes on Kharg Island, Iran’s principal oil export hub, after earlier raids he claimed had “totally decimated” military targets there.
Kharg Island handles the vast majority of Iran’s crude exports, placing it at the centre of the conflict’s economic stakes.
Tehran has responded defiantly. Iranian authorities rejected calls for a ceasefire and vowed to step up missile and drone attacks on American-linked targets across the region, including energy infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates and the US embassy compound in Baghdad.
Iran has also warned civilians to leave several major ports in the UAE, which it claims are being used to support American operations.
With the conflict increasingly centred on oil infrastructure and the Strait of Hormuz, the risk to global energy markets is growing. Even the threat of disruption to the waterway has unsettled governments and traders alike, underlining how quickly a regional war could spill into a wider economic shock.l gas passes through the narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf to global markets.
Trump suggested that partners including Britain, France, Japan and South Korea should contribute warships, arguing that states benefiting from the flow of energy should share responsibility for protecting it.
The appeal comes as Washington signals a willingness to escalate further. Mr Trump warned that the United States could strike Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal, after earlier American attacks reportedly damaged Iranian military infrastructure.
Iran responded defiantly. Officials rejected calls for a ceasefire and promised to intensify missile and drone strikes on US-linked targets in the region. Recent attacks have included strikes on energy facilities in the United Arab Emirates and the US embassy compound in Baghdad.
Tehran has also sought to raise pressure around the Gulf, warning civilians to evacuate several Emirati ports it claims are being used by American forces.
With the war increasingly centred on the Strait of Hormuz, the risk to global energy markets has grown. Even the threat of disruption to the chokepoint, through which vast volumes of oil and gas transit, has unsettled traders and governments alike.
Sources: Reuters, AP, The Guardian
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