THE United States will begin operations to assist vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz from Monday, President Donald Trump has announced, as tensions linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran continue to disrupt one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.
Trump said Washington would move to help ships and their crews that have been effectively trapped in the strategic waterway for weeks, with many running low on essential supplies.
“We have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” Reuters reported Trump saying in a post on his Truth Social platform.
However, he gave few operational details, leaving uncertainty over how the effort would be implemented or which nations would directly benefit.
The move comes as the International Maritime Organization estimates that hundreds of vessels and as many as 20,000 seafarers have been unable to pass through the strait during more than two months of disruption, with Iran restricting most shipping traffic apart from its own.
The United States Central Command said it would support the effort with a significant deployment of military assets, including 15,000 personnel, more than 100 aircraft across land and sea, as well as warships and drones.
“Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade,” said CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper.
The announcement coincided with a fresh maritime security incident, after the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a tanker had been struck by unknown projectiles in the strait.
The vessel, located about 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, reported that all crew members were safe, although further details were not immediately available.
The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial artery for global oil and gas exports, has seen escalating tensions in recent weeks, with vessels reporting hostile encounters and several ships reportedly seized.
The United States has also imposed restrictions on ships linked to Iranian ports, further complicating maritime traffic.
Trump warned that any interference with the planned operation would be met with force, signalling a hardening stance as Washington seeks to restore shipping flows.
The administration is also attempting to build an international coalition to secure the waterway, combining diplomatic efforts with military coordination, although it remains unclear how widely supported the initiative will be or whether naval escorts will be provided to commercial vessels.
Despite the heightened tensions, Trump suggested that diplomatic channels remain open, saying talks were progressing, while offering little detail.
Meanwhile, Iran confirmed it had received a response from the United States to its latest proposal for peace negotiations, reportedly conveyed via Pakistan, and said it was reviewing the communication. There has been no immediate confirmation from Washington.
Financial markets showed cautious stability, with equities edging higher while oil prices remained elevated after surging above US$100 a barrel last week, reflecting continued uncertainty over the trajectory of the conflict and its impact on global energy supplies. - May 4, 2026
