Trump Promises to Open the Strait of Hormuz “Fairly Soon”
US President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that the United States would have the Strait of Hormuz “open fairly soon”. However, he did not provide further details and acknowledged that it would not be easy.
Trump said other countries could help secure the waterway. “Other countries use the strait. So we do have other countries coming up, and they'll help out,” he said.
“It won't be easy ... I would say this. We will have that open fairly soon,” he added.
Tehran’s blockade of the strait has caused the biggest disruption to global energy supplies in history since the start of the war with Iran. About 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the waterway.
Trump has expressed dissatisfaction that NATO allies have not contributed to securing the strait. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told European governments that the US president wants concrete commitments within days to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, diplomats said.