Donald Trump asks China, France and several countries to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump on Saturday called on China, France, and other countries to send their warships to the Strait of Hormuz to ensure that the waters remain open for international shipping.

"I hope China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain, and others affected by these artificial restrictions will send their ships there so that the Strait of Hormuz will no longer be a threat to a country that has been completely destroyed," Trump said via Truth Social.

Trump also vowed to continue dropping bombs on Iran's shores and "constantly firing at Iranian ships and boats".

He said the US did this to ensure safe and free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

On February 28, 2026, the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, including Tehran, causing infrastructure damage and casualties.

Iran then carried out retaliatory attacks against Israeli territory and US military bases throughout the Middle East.

The escalation in Iran has triggered a "de facto" blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping route for the delivery of oil and LPG gas from Persian Gulf countries to world markets.

The disruption of shipping also has an impact on the export and production levels of oil in the Gulf region.