Trump on Iran: US Nears War Objectives & Strait of Hormuz Security
President Donald Trump stated Friday that the United States is nearing its objectives in the ongoing conflict with Iran and signaled a shift in responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz, urging nations reliant on the waterway to “guard and police it as necessary.” The announcement, delivered via a post on Truth Social, comes as the U.S. Considers winding down its direct military involvement in the war that began on February 28.
“The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not!,” Trump wrote. He added that the U.S. Would offer assistance if requested, but asserted it “shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated.”
The move follows a period of unsuccessful attempts to secure allied support for safeguarding the critical shipping lane. Earlier this week, Trump abandoned his push for U.S. Allies to contribute to a joint effort to protect the Strait, after receiving a “chilly response” from nations he had approached, according to NBC News. On Tuesday, he declared, “We don’t need any help, actually,” in an Oval Office meeting with the Irish Prime Minister, Micheál Martin.
This reversal marked a significant departure from his earlier calls for international collaboration. Just days prior, on Monday, Trump had expressed frustration with the lack of support, with the Associated Press reporting he even floated the possibility of withdrawing from NATO. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius had publicly stated that the conflict was “not our war,” signaling a reluctance to participate.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway bordering Iran, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, is considered the world’s most important oil transit chokepoint. Approximately 20 million barrels of oil passed through the strait each day in 2025, representing nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows, with an estimated value of around $600 billion annually, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Trump’s initial consideration of taking control of the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by Times Now, had raised questions about the legality of such a move under international law. The waterway is heavily used by major energy exporters including Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to Iran itself. Roughly 3,000 ships transit the strait each month.
The White House, in a statement released alongside Trump’s latest comments, defended the President’s approach, asserting his commitment to “America First” and bolstering U.S. National security through “Operation Epic Fury, with or without NATO.”
As of Friday, no nations have publicly committed to independently securing the Strait of Hormuz following Trump’s announcement. The U.S. Military campaign against Iran, according to Trump, is “particularly complete,” with Iran’s navy, communications, and air force reportedly neutralized, though independent verification of these claims remains unavailable.