Donald Trump has urged Britain and other allies to send warships to the Middle East to help secure the Strait of Hormuz — a sharp reversal days after claiming the conflict with Iran was effectively over.

The US president appealed directly to foreign governments to join naval patrols protecting oil tankers in the strategic waterway. The plea came as Tehran threatened attacks on shipping routes that carry a large share of the world’s crude exports.

The shift marks a stark change in tone from Trump’s earlier claim that American forces had already defeated Iran’s military.

From victory lap to urgent call for help

Less than a week ago, Trump mocked the idea of British reinforcements after reports that the UK might deploy the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

Posting on Truth Social, he said the United States no longer needed help and suggested the war had effectively been won.

Now the president says allied navies are urgently needed to protect the narrow Gulf shipping lane as Iran threatens drones, mines and missile attacks on passing vessels.

“Many countries… will be sending warships, in conjunction with the United States,” Trump wrote, urging partners including United Kingdom, France, Japan, South Korea and China to join the effort.

Global oil lifeline under threat

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, handling roughly a fifth of global oil shipments.

Even minor disruption can send shockwaves through energy markets and trigger price spikes worldwide. Iranian forces have repeatedly warned they could close or disrupt the passage in retaliation for Western attacks.

Trump insisted the United States had already destroyed “100% of Iran’s military capability” but conceded Tehran could still launch small-scale attacks capable of paralysing the route.

Escalation risks widening the conflict

The president signalled the US would continue striking Iranian targets along the coastline and attacking naval vessels if necessary.

Analysts warn that an expanded naval confrontation could drag more countries into the crisis and heighten the risk of miscalculation in the crowded waters of the Gulf.

With global trade and energy supplies on the line, the pressure on Western allies to decide whether to join the mission is now intensifying.

Donald Trump begs other countries including UK to help defend oil tankers in humiliating U-turn

The same Trump that just got finished saying he doesn’t need the UK’s help.

The only sensible response is, you broke it, you own it.

3 hours ago, bannork said:

Donald Trump has urged Britain and other allies to send warships to the Middle East to help secure the Strait of Hormuz — a sharp reversal days after claiming the conflict with Iran was effectively over.

The US president appealed directly to foreign governments to join naval patrols protecting oil tankers in the strategic waterway. The plea came as Tehran threatened attacks on shipping routes that carry a large share of the world’s crude exports.

The shift marks a stark change in tone from Trump’s earlier claim that American forces had already defeated Iran’s military.

From victory lap to urgent call for help

Less than a week ago, Trump mocked the idea of British reinforcements after reports that the UK might deploy the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

Posting on Truth Social, he said the United States no longer needed help and suggested the war had effectively been won.

Now the president says allied navies are urgently needed to protect the narrow Gulf shipping lane as Iran threatens drones, mines and missile attacks on passing vessels.

“Many countries… will be sending warships, in conjunction with the United States,” Trump wrote, urging partners including United Kingdom, France, Japan, South Korea and China to join the effort.

Global oil lifeline under threat

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, handling roughly a fifth of global oil shipments.

Even minor disruption can send shockwaves through energy markets and trigger price spikes worldwide. Iranian forces have repeatedly warned they could close or disrupt the passage in retaliation for Western attacks.

Trump insisted the United States had already destroyed “100% of Iran’s military capability” but conceded Tehran could still launch small-scale attacks capable of paralysing the route.

Escalation risks widening the conflict

The president signalled the US would continue striking Iranian targets along the coastline and attacking naval vessels if necessary.

Analysts warn that an expanded naval confrontation could drag more countries into the crisis and heighten the risk of miscalculation in the crowded waters of the Gulf.

With global trade and energy supplies on the line, the pressure on Western allies to decide whether to join the mission is now intensifying.

Donald Trump begs other countries including UK to help defend oil tankers in humiliating U-turn

What happened to Trump's claim that the U.S. has the greatest military in the world? Unfortunately, he is degrading it with his lack of foresight and interference in the command structure.

Why should we send ships. This Trumps problem he caused it let him go there in person and get blown to kingdom come.

I don't want any of my sons anywhere near it.

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The same Trump that just got finished saying he doesn’t need the UK’s help.

The only sensible response is, you broke it, you own it.

I'm surprised he even asked after all it's not like the UK would be on the front line or put themselves in harms way. Anyway as the tosser said himself the war's won he doesn't need anyone else.

Honestly, there wasn’t even a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz until Trump decided to make one.

For years the situation was tense but manageable, and global shipping kept moving without this kind of political theatre. Now suddenly he’s “pleading” for allied warships as if the whole region just fell apart overnight.

This is classic Trump: create a problem, escalate it, then demand everyone else clean it up.

The allies didn’t ask for this mess, and the shipping lanes certainly didn’t need his brand of diplomacy-by-chaos.

If anything, the biggest threat to stability right now is the unnecessary drama coming out of Washington, not Hormuz itself!

Just now, Bannoi said:

I'm surprised he even asked after all it's not like the UK would be on the front line or put themselves in harms way. Anyway as the tosser said himself the war's won he doesn't need anyone else.

The request would be for minesweepers. The US have 4 Avenger class minesweepers left; the Patriot, Pioneer, Warrior and Chief. All currently based in Japan, and intended for scrapping in 2027. The Devastator, Sentry, Gladiator and Dextrous were previously in the Gulf, but were decomissioned September last year, and all have arrived at Philadelphia for scrapping.

The Royal Navy has 8 minesweepers in service, plus 7 Arcimus autonomous Minesweepers and 3 Thales autonomous minesweepers.

HMS Middleton was the last Hunt class deployed in the Gulf, and was withdrawn at the request of the GCC in January 2026. Middleton is no longer seaworthy, like the 4 Avenger boats, and was also transported by heavy lift, and then towed into Plymouth. Its not going to be scrapped but will undergo a refit.

Ledbury is involved in sea trials of new systems. Bangor is guarding the nukes. Only Cattistock I think is available for deployment. The others are either undergoing refits, or, in the case of Chiddingfold, being used as a source of spare parts.

4 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The same Trump that just got finished saying he doesn’t need the UK’s help.

The only sensible response is, you broke it, you own it.

Talk about the most embarrasing climb down. It also underscores just how badly Trump and his idiots in cabinet misread what going to war with Iran would entail (at the urging of Israel, as usual). Trump will do whatever Israel wants. What a mental weakling.

The other countries should tell Trump, as you put it, 'you broke it, you fix it'. In any case, there's no proof that having more naval ships in that area will provide safe passage for anyone. Also, if Iran attacks one of those other countries' warships - which it would probably do - that drags that country into the war. Canada said yesterday, it will not join. Smart.

Another clear example that the lunatics are running the asylum in DC - and will be for another 3 years.

US allies? What US allies?

With his tariffs and insults against many countries, the USA has lost all of its allies, apart from Russia.

Why not ask Putin for help Donald? Surely you can ask you master, or has he ordered you not to?

Of course there is the USA's great ally and friend forever - Israel. But maybe Israel is a little busy now that its Iron Dome is failing.

But Trump said the war is over. Did he lie again?

5 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The same Trump that just got finished saying he doesn’t need the UK’s help.

The only sensible response is, you broke it, you own it.

Yes, I would put it in terms he and his base would understand: "<deleted> off, you started it."

Possibly a case could be made for "demining" operations once the shooting war has ended, Independent of US command and in agreement with Iran. It would have to be after the fighting has stopped, if only because there is a not insignificant risk that some gung ho Septic would bomb or torpedo one of the minesweepers!

He wants other country's warships to get targeted ,

so he can brag that he didn't loose any.

This maniac who says of Kharg Island that 'we may hit it a few more times just for fun' is mentally sick. The world should have nothing to do with him.

5 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

Honestly, there wasn’t even a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz until Trump decided to make one.

Indeed, thought he would be in control. Indications are it is unlikely there will be one again. He is not going to like the long term solutions with pipelines and the possibility of a canal.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/12/strait-of-hormuz-oil-pipelines-iran-war-saudi-arabia-uae.html

All those ships are not really needed. The Iranians have said they will let any ship through that trades oil in Yuan instead of USD.

@Palatus

Since most of Iran's sea shipped oil leaves via Khang Island, then that a good bargaining chip for Iran to let non IR ships through the straits.

He already showed how venerable it is and can knock it out at any time.

7 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The same Trump that just got finished saying he doesn’t need the UK’s help.

The only sensible response is, you broke it, you own it.

OK, but the UK needs the LNG and oil, while the USA does not. UK says it has regional interests and alliance with Gulf states. Up to UK to decide if it ignores multiple requests from them.

More warships = more sitting ducks, isn't it?

From one newspaper article I read Trump was mentioning China among the countries he was hoping would provide warships to police the straight. Since when did your enemies help you in a war? I'd not be surprised if the Chinese were not right now preparing to invade Taiwan.

1 hour ago, phetphet said:

All those ships are not really needed. The Iranians have said they will let any ship through that trades oil in Yuan instead of USD.

Iran also said it was allies and friends with region and has bombarded Qatar and Oman its "best" friends in Gulf.

1 minute ago, JackGats said:

More warships = more sitting ducks, isn't it?

From one newspaper article I read Trump was mentioning China among the countries he was hoping would provide warships to police the straight. Since when did your enemies help you in a war? I'd not be surprised if the Chinese were not right now preparing to invade Taiwan.

China gets alot of oil from the region. If it wants it it will have to go and get it.

2 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

US allies? What US allies?

With his tariffs and insults against many countries, the USA has lost all of its allies, apart from Russia.

Why not ask Putin for help Donald? Surely you can ask you master, or has he ordered you not to?

Of course there is the USA's great ally and friend forever - Israel. But maybe Israel is a little busy now that its Iron Dome is failing.

How is the iron dome failing? There are 96% fewr launches from Iran today then at the start of the intervention. Iran's capabilities are degraded.

1 minute ago, Patong2021 said:

China gets alot of oil from the region. If it wants it it will have to go and get it.

Yes but apparently the Iranians are letting Chinese-flagged ships through, so the Chinese should be ok.

Incidentally, that's why I am skeptical about the Iranians mining the straight. If they want to let some ships through they can't be doing that.

I can’t see “The Donald” Pleading for anything, he is a ‘comply or else’ kinda guy.

7 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Iran also said it was allies and friends with region and has bombarded Qatar and Oman its "best" friends in Gulf.

If your best friends let the USA bomb your country from bases in their land, they aren't friends.

3 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

If your best friends let the USA bomb your country from bases in their land, they aren't friends.

No missions against Iran were lauched from Oman or Qatar. Please provide theinformation to support your claim. When did the USA launch from Turkiye or Azerbaijan. The Gulf nations have only allowed defensive missions not attacks. Back up your claim.

Just now, Patong2021 said:

No missions against Iran were lauched from Oman or Qatar. Please provide theinformation to support your claim. When did the USA launch from Turkiye or Azerbaijan. The Gulf nations have only allowed defensive missions not attacks. Back up your claim.

Back up your claim

1 minute ago, FritsSikkink said:

Back up your claim

You are the claiming the attacks originated from Oman, Turkiye etc. The onus is on you to support the claim. You can't, so now you have a hissy fit because you are shown to be pushing your own biased view and inventing events to support the fabricated claims. Pathetic.

3 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

You are the claiming the attacks originated from Oman, Turkiye etc. The onus is on you to support the claim. You can't, so now you have a hissy fit because you are shown to be pushing your own biased view and inventing events to support the fabricated claims. Pathetic.

I never mentioned Turkiye, couple of false flag bombings by Israel.

US Military Bases Used in Iran Attack: Full Strategic Breakdown

17 minutes ago, JackGats said:

Yes but apparently the Iranians are letting Chinese-flagged ships through, so the Chinese should be ok.

Incidentally, that's why I am skeptical about the Iranians mining the straight. If they want to let some ships through they can't be doing that.

I flew in to BKK a couple days ago. Know who else flew in? Qatar airline from Doha. Flight from IST landed too. DXB and AUH have several international flights now. Air India has increased frequency to KSA. Airports in KSA and Muscat are operating international flights.

2 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

I never mentioned Turkiye, couple of false flag bombings by Israel.

US Military Bases Used in Iran Attack: Full Strategic Breakdown

In your excitement to push your fabricated claim, you offered another imagined false claim of false flag operations from Israel. Israel did not lauch the ballistic missiles from Iran. the missiles were tracked.

Oman did not attack Iran. It did not permit bombing sorties from its base.

Qatar did not attack Iran . It did not permit bombing sorties from its base.

Turkiye and Azerbaijan had no involvement, yet were attacked.

The UAE did not attack Iran and expressly and publicly forbade any US activity on its soil.

Iraq did not allow air sorties from the US airbase in Iraq and was attacked by Iran.