US President Donald Trump has promised military help from many countries to jointly secure shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz – without being specific.
“Many countries – particularly those affected by Iran’s attempted blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – will join the United States in sending warships to keep it open and safe,” he wrote on the Truth Social platform. The Iranian leadership derided this as a cry for help.
It is unclear which countries Trump is referring to and whether countries have even agreed to send warships. Trump added that “hopefully” China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and other countries affected by Iran’s blockade of the strait important for global oil exports will send ships. Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has come to a virtual standstill, driving up oil prices.
Trump threatens further attacks on Iranian oil island
Meanwhile, in a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump threatened further attacks on the island of Kharg, which is important for Iran’s oil industry. The US military said it destroyed military facilities on the island on Saturday in an attempt to persuade Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the US Army, more than 90 military targets were hit without any damage to oil infrastructure. Trump now told NBC News that the attacks had “completely destroyed Charg Island, but we might strike a few more times, just for fun.”
Trump promised on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz would soon be “OPEN, SAFE and FREE” again. In another post, he wrote that countries that receive oil through the Strait of Hormuz must secure it.
Iran scoffs at Trump’s ‘requests for reinforcements’
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ naval commander, Aziz Reza Tangsiri, mocked Trump on Platform
The Iranian commander further wrote: “Of course we should remember that the Strait of Hormuz has not yet been closed militarily and is only under control.” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X: “The US is now asking others, even China, to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.” Iran calls on “its brotherly neighbors to drive out foreign aggressors, especially since their only concern is Israel.”
More attacks on Gulf states
Meanwhile, there were further attacks on several Gulf states. The Saudi Defense Ministry reported the launch of six ballistic missiles in Al-Kharj governorate. There was initially no information on injuries or damage. There is also the Prince Sultan Airbase, which is used by the USA and has been repeatedly attacked by Iranian missiles since the beginning of the Iran War.
Kuwait’s civil aviation authority said Kuwait International Airport was the target of several drone attacks in the evening. The airport’s radar system was damaged. There were no injuries. Qatar’s Defense Ministry said on X that it had been attacked by four ballistic missiles and a number of drones from Iran during the day. All bullets were intercepted.
Emirates are relying on restraint despite Iran’s “aggression”.
The United Arab Emirates is the most heavily attacked of the Gulf states in the Iran war. The advisor to the President of the Emirates, Anwar Gargash, said during the night that his country had the right to defend itself against “terrorist aggression.” At the same time, however, he added that they wanted to continue to exercise common sense and restraint. The United Arab Emirates exercised restraint while looking for a way out of the crisis for Iran and the entire region, Gargasch said.
Meanwhile, the US embassy in Iraq called on US citizens to leave the country. The call comes after an anti-aircraft system at the embassy was hit by a missile, according to media reports. Iran-aligned militias have claimed several attacks on U.S. facilities in Iraq since the start of the Iran War. “US citizens should leave Iraq now,” said the warning from the embassy in the capital Baghdad.
Trump not ready for an agreement with Iran
Meanwhile, US President Trump says he is not yet ready for an agreement to end the war with Iran. “Iran wants to conclude an agreement, and I don’t want to conclude it because the conditions are not yet good enough,” NBC News quoted him as saying. When asked on the phone what the terms of an agreement to end the war would have to be, Trump replied: “I don’t want to tell you that.”
However, Trump confirmed that a commitment by Iran to give up all nuclear ambitions would be part of the conditions for an agreement with Iran. Senior Iranian officials have not publicly said they are ready for an agreement to end the war.
Israel reports renewed shelling from Iran
Meanwhile, Iran fired rockets again at its arch-enemy Israel during the night. According to the Israeli military, an impact occurred in the center of the Jewish state. The Times of Israel reported that it may have been debris that fell as a result of a bullet being intercepted. According to the emergency services, two people were slightly injured.
Meanwhile, Israel’s ground troops in southern Lebanon continue to take action against the Iran-allied Hezbollah militia. Dozens of militiamen were killed, the army said. Weapons depots, a command center and Hezbollah observation posts were also destroyed. Northern Command is continuing preparations to welcome additional troops next week.
According to the news portal Axios, Israel wants to take over the entire area south of the Litani River in order to destroy Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. French President Emmanuel Macron once again called for an end to mutual attacks between Israel and Hezbollah.
PALM BEACH/TEHRAN (dpa-AFX)
