HIGHDIPLOMATIC

Trump calls on UK, China, France, Japan and South Korea to send warships to Strait of Hormuz

2026-03-14 · 14:16 UTC·Washington D.C. / Strait of Hormuz

President Trump posted on Truth Social calling on the United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, and South Korea to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to keep it open for shipping. Britain's Ministry of Defence confirmed it is weighing 'a range of options' following Trump's call. The appeal to China is particularly striking — calling on a US strategic rival to join a multilateral naval presence in a conflict where the US is the primary belligerent against China's largest oil supplier.

President Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday calling on multiple countries — the United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, and South Korea — to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the free and safe passage of shipping through the critical waterway. Britain's Ministry of Defence confirmed it is weighing a 'range of options' in response, stating: 'We are currently discussing with our allies and partners a range of options to ensure the security of shipping in the region.' This language suggests serious UK consideration of a naval deployment rather than a diplomatic deflection. The inclusion of China in Trump's call is the most geopolitically striking element. China is the United States' primary strategic rival and Iran's largest oil customer. Beijing has generally been cautious in the conflict, declining to endorse either side and benefiting from its continued access to discounted Iranian oil. Inviting China to join a naval presence in the Strait — a waterway through which 20% of global oil flows — either reflects a genuine belief that China's economic interests align with open passage, or is a rhetorical move designed to highlight China's dual position as Iran's patron and a global shipping beneficiary. The call for a multilateral Hormuz naval coalition represents a significant strategic pivot: rather than relying solely on US and Israeli military power to force Hormuz open, Trump is appealing to the international community to share the burden of enforcement. This also implicitly acknowledges that US forces alone face constraints in simultaneously continuing the Iran bombing campaign and guaranteeing Hormuz passage against the IRGC Navy's selective blockade.

Actor responses

United StatesSUPPORTINGCLAIM

I am calling on the UK, China, France, Japan, and South Korea to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz. The world depends on this waterway. Every nation that benefits from free passage should share the responsibility for keeping it open.

NATOSUPPORTINGRESPONSE

Britain is weighing a range of options to ensure security of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz following discussions with allies and partners. No decision has been announced.

IranOPPOSINGRESPONSE

Any foreign warships entering the Strait of Hormuz to challenge Iran's sovereign right to control passage will be regarded as combatants. The IRGC Navy will treat them accordingly. The Strait is not an American or international lake.

IRGCOPPOSINGRESPONSE

Let them come. The IRGC Navy is fully prepared to engage any foreign naval force that attempts to challenge Iranian control of the Strait. We have the weapons, the capability, and the will.