Trump seeks help to keep Strait of Hormuz open as Iran 'sees no reason to talk'

Iran has said the strait, through which one fifth of global oil exports normally pass, is open to all except the United States and its allies

Sun, 15 Mar, 2026 - 22:00

Sam Metz and Samy Magdy, Associated Press

US President Donald Trump’s appeal to China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and others to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz “open and safe” brought no commitments on Sunday as oil prices soar during the Iran war.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS that Tehran has been “approached by a number of countries” seeking safe passage for their vessels, “and this is up to our military to decide”.