As the conflict in the Persian Gulf entered its 16th day on Tuesday, President Donald Trump escalated pressure on global allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz, calling for an international "user pays" maritime coalition to protect oil shipments from Iranian attacks.
The push comes as the world's most critical energy chokepoint remains under severe strain. At least 16 commercial vessels have been targeted by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps over the last two weeks, sending global energy markets into a tailspin.
Trump Demands Allies 'Pay Their Share'
In a March 14 post on Truth Social, Trump directly challenged nations heavily dependent on Middle Eastern crude to quickly send warships to join a U.S.-led escort mission.
"Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe." Trump wrote.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump signaled a departure from decades of U.S. naval policy, arguing that because the U.S. is now a major oil producer, the burden of securing the waterway lies with those who consume its exports.
The president also told the Financial Times he may use a planned late-March summit with Chinese leaders as leverage, suggesting the meeting could be postponed if Beijing refuses to contribute naval assets.
Tehran and Beijing Remain Defiant
The diplomatic overtures have met a cold reception in Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS News that while "multiple countries" have requested safe passage, the decision rests solely with the Iranian military.
Iranian officials have maintained that all nations except the U.S. and its allies may use the waterway, adding there is "no reason to discuss" an end to hostilities with Washington.
In Washington, the Chinese Embassy described Iran as a "sincere friend" and called for a cessation of hostilities. While Beijing expressed a willingness to play a "constructive role," it stopped short of committing any military hardware to a U.S.-led fleet.
Similarly, despite Trump's claims that several nations have already agreed to join the coalition, traditional U.S. allies such as the U.K., France, Germany, South Korea, and Japan all appear noncommittal.
Economic Fallout
The maritime deadlock has triggered the most severe disruption to oil shipping in history. On March 15, Brent crude rose 2.9% to $106.12 per barrel, while U.S. crude climbed to $101.53.
The domestic impact is hitting American pumps rapidly. The American Automobile Association reported that U.S. gasoline prices have jumped 24% since the conflict began, averaging $3.70 per gallon.
While the International Energy Agency agreed last week to release 400 million barrels from emergency reserves, analysts warn those supplies will not hit the market until the end of the month. Meanwhile, U.S. officials acknowledge the Navy would require several weeks to fully coordinate the proposed multinational escort operations.
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