Trump proposes US role in protecting Strait of Hormuz

Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced a plan for the United States to take a leading role in protecting the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy route facing growing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Trump said the US could become responsible for guarding the strategic waterway and receive payments from countries that depend on its security.

Speaking in a television interview, he said the United States should not bear the cost of protecting the route alone and that other wealthy nations should contribute financially.

The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world’s most important shipping passages. Nearly 20 percent of global oil supplies move through the waterway.

The issue of control over the strait has become a major dispute between Iran and the United States amid rising regional tensions.

Iran has claimed authority over the waterway and previously announced restrictions on its use, linking the move to foreign military involvement in the region.

The United States has rejected Iran’s position, saying the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway. Washington has also stated that its forces are prepared to ensure freedom of navigation.

The dispute has increased uncertainty in global energy markets. Any prolonged disruption in the waterway could affect oil supplies and push prices higher worldwide.

Tensions in the Gulf have intensified after recent military confrontations between the two countries. Iran has reportedly launched missile and drone attacks against US positions in the region, while Washington has carried out strikes on Iranian targets.

The situation has raised concerns among international energy experts, who warn that instability around the strategic route could create further pressure on global fuel markets.