President Donald Trump revealed on Sunday night that he has talked to “about seven” countries regarding the Strait of Hormuz, as he looks to form a coalition to reopen and defend the key waterway from Iranian attacks.
“I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their own territory,” he told reporters on Air Force One. “It’s the place from which they get their energy. And they should come and they should help us protect it.”
Trump declined to name the countries he talked to. He did say there were some “positive” responses to his effort, while a “few … would rather not get involved.”
About what kind of assistance he is looking for, Trump mentioned minesweepers and a “certain type of boat that could help us.”
But in the event these countries decline to help secure the strait, Trump signaled he would never forget.
“Whether we get support or not, but I can say this, and I said to them: We will remember,” the president said.
Trump particularly tore into NATO, a frequent target of his in the past. He said the alliance would face a “very bad” future in the event Europe dodges on helping. Trump also said he may push back his much-anticipated China summit with President Xi Jinping, scheduled in two weeks, if they don’t help either.
His latest comments come as pressure has increased for the strait to be reopened. The narrow waterway is immensely important for global shipping and the oil trade, and Iran’s chokehold has all but halted traffic.
Trump said on Friday that the U.S. Navy would be escorting ships through the strait “very soon.” A day later, he announced the coalition effort to “keep the Strait open and safe.”
TRUMP TALKS WITH STARMER AS HE TRIES TO LURE COUNTRIES TO HELP REOPEN STRAIT OF HORMUZ
At the time, he singled out China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, calling on all five to send warships to the region as part of the effort.
None have expressed any interest, though Trump did speak by phone with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier Sunday about the “importance” of reopening the strait.
