Donald Trump has said the UK should send warships to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, the US president urged the UK and other countries to deploy ships to the strait amid the conflict with Iran.
The strait is a key trade artery between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes. Last year, about 20 million barrels of oil passed through the strait each day.
Since the United States and Israel first launched attacks on Iran a fortnight ago, numerous ships crossing the strait have been attacked. It is now effectively closed, driving up oil prices and putting intense pressure on the global economy.
Trump wrote: “Many countries, especially those affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Strait of Hormuz, will send warships, along with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe.
“We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s military capability, but it is easy for them to send one or two drones, drop a mine or launch a short-range missile somewhere along or within this waterway, no matter how defeated they are.
“Hopefully, China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and others affected by this artificial limitation will send ships to the area so that the Strait of Hormuz is no longer a threat to a nation that has been totally decapitated.
“Meanwhile, the United States will bomb the coast and continuously shoot Iranian ships and boats out of the water. One way or another, we will soon get the Strait of Hormuz OPEN, SAFE and FREE.”
In response to Trump’s post, Iran said claims that its military capabilities had been destroyed were based on “fabricated lies.”
A Ministry of Defense spokesperson said: “As we have said previously, we are currently discussing with our allies and partners a range of options to ensure the security of shipping in the region.”
Trump’s appeal to the United Kingdom contrasts with comments made on the same social media site last week, when he accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of trying to join the conflict after already claiming victory.
“The United Kingdom, our once great ally, perhaps the greatest of all, is finally seriously considering sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East,” Trump wrote. “Okay, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them anymore, but we’ll remember. We don’t need people joining wars after we’ve already won!”
The United Kingdom did not join the initial attacks on Iran, which killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Starmer has defended his decision not to become directly involved in the military campaign.
This week, he told MPs: “President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the initial attacks, but it is my duty to judge what is in Britain’s national interest.”
Downing Street has been contacted for comment.
