The Kabul Tribune (KT) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington will begin assisting ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, shortly after a tanker was reported hit by unknown projectiles in the area, according to Reuters.
A maritime security agency reported on Monday that a tanker
had been struck in the vital shipping lane, where hundreds of vessels have been
unable to pass due to ongoing tensions linked to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with
Iran.
Trump said the United States would start operations to guide
stranded ships and their crews out of restricted waters, noting that many
vessels are running low on food and supplies.
“We will guide their ships safely out of these restricted
waterways so that they can continue their business,” Trump said in a post on
Truth Social.
The International Maritime Organization estimates that
hundreds of ships and up to 20,000 seafarers have been affected by the
disruption in the strait.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it would support the
effort with around 15,000 troops, along with aircraft, warships and drones,
aiming to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping.
British maritime authorities said the tanker incident occurred
about 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, adding
that all crew members were safe.
Shipping in the Gulf has been heavily disrupted for more
than two months, with Iran restricting most traffic except its own,
contributing to rising global energy prices. Some vessels have reported being
fired upon, while others have been seized.
The Trump administration is seeking to build an
international coalition to secure maritime routes, combining diplomatic efforts
with military coordination, CENTCOM said.
It remains unclear which countries will be directly involved
in the U.S. operation or how it will be implemented. The White House has not
provided further details.
Trump warned that any interference with the mission would be
met with force.
Meanwhile, Iran said it is reviewing a U.S. response to a
proposed peace plan. Iranian state media reported that Washington had delivered
its reply through Pakistan, though there has been no official confirmation from
U.S. authorities.
Talks between the United States and Iran remain uncertain,
with disagreements over Tehran’s nuclear program and conditions for ending the
conflict. Washington has called for strict limits on Iran’s uranium stockpile,
while Tehran insists its program is peaceful and seeks sanctions relief.
The ongoing tensions have significantly impacted global
energy markets, as the Strait of Hormuz accounts for roughly 20% of the world’s
oil and gas transit.
