The American president Donald Trump said yesterday that it demanded seven countries send warships to keep open the Strait of Hormuz.
However, his calls have not resulted in commitments from other nations as oil prices soar due to the war with Iran.
Trump refused to identify the countries with which he is negotiating to join the coalition, which largely depend on oil from Middle East.
Trump seeks coalition against Iran for opening of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is a waterway through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil passes.
Trump promised at the beginning of the war that United States Navy They would escort the tankers through the sea route. But that didn’t happen.
“I demand that these countries come and protect their own territory, because it is their own territory“Trump said about the strait, ensuring that the shipping lane is not something the United States needs.
He added that China It gets about 90% of its oil from the Strait, while the United States gets only a minimal amount. He declined to discuss whether China would join the coalition.
The Secretary of Energy of the United States, Chris Wrighthe said to NBC that he has been “in talks” with some of the countries Trump mentioned, and stressed that he anticipates China “to be a constructive partner” in reopening the strait.
But the countries did not promise anything. So far, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, France and China have refrained from confirming the initiative.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchihe said to CBS what Tehran has been “approached by several countries” seeking safe passage for their ships, “and this is the decision of our army.”
He commented that a group of ships from “different countries” were allowed passage, without giving details. Iran has said the strait is open to everyone except the United States and its allies.
“We don’t see any reason why we should talk to the Americans” about finding a way to end the war, Araghchi added, noting that Israel y USA They started the war while the United States and Iran They were in talks about the nuclear program.
Tehran accused the United States of attacking the Kharg Islandwhere Iran’s main oil terminal is located, from United Arab Emirates.
It has threatened to attack “oil, economic and energy infrastructure” linked to the United States if its oil infrastructure is attacked.
He United States Central Command He indicated that he had no response to the accusation. Gulf countries that host US bases have denied allowing their territory or airspace to be used for military operations against Iran.
However, the Central Command has published images of the use of Himars rocket systems, fired from the ground, which would imply the positioning of the systems from territory close to Iran.
Possible landing on Kharg Island
Trump would be weighing the possibility of taking over the Kharg Island —one of Iran’s main sources of income—if the blockade in the Gulf continues, confidential sources informed Axios.
The anonymous officials said senior Trump administration officials spent Saturday on coalition talks.
Despite his reluctance to announce his support, Trump expects some countries to announce their participation this week in the “Hormuz Coalition,” according to Axios. Members would have to provide ships, drones, and logistical and command support.
One of the sources noted that Trump is attracted to the idea of taking Kharg Island because it would be an “economic knockout of the regime.”
However, it would require a deployment of troops, a measure with great political cost, and which would bring greater retaliation from Iran against the Gulf countries.
“The president has not decided, and we are not saying he will“, said.
Cost in human lives, increasing
Iranian attacks have killed at least a dozen civilians in Persian Gulf countries, most of them migrant workers. Missiles and drones have hit US bases, airports, refineries and warehouses.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said more than 1,300 — including 223 women and 202 children — people have been killed by Israeli and U.S. bombings.
Twelve people have been killed by Iranian missile fire and hundreds have been injured. Two soldiers died in Lebanon. At least 13 US service members have also died, six this week in a suspected plane crash.
At least 820 people have been killed in Lebanon in the campaign against Israel’s Hezbollah, which sent additional troops to southern Lebanon. More than 800,000 people have been displaced.
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