Trump plans coalition to reopen Strait of Hormuz, reports

US President Donald Trump is working to assemble an international coalition to forcibly reopen the Strait of Hormuz in order to restore full oil exports from the region, Axios said on Monday.

Citing four sources, the outlet said Trump hopes to announce the initiative later this week. The plan reportedly involves a coalition of countries cooperating to ensure security in the strategic waterway.

Trump has also considered the possibility of seizing the oil terminal on Kharg Island, a key export hub for Iran, if tankers remain blocked in the Persian Gulf.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on 15 March, Trump said he would ask NATO members and major oil-importing nations, including China, to assist in securing the strait.

“We are negotiating with other countries on cooperation to maintain order in the strait, and I think we are getting good responses,” Trump said.

Axios added Washington has held talks with seven countries about participating in the effort. Some have declined, but US officials expect several partners to publicly support the initiative in the coming days.

Trump also discussed the issue with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during talks over the weekend.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes. Around 15 million barrels of oil pass through the strait each day, while alternative pipelines in the region have a combined capacity of only about 3 million barrels. More than 85% of crude exported through the route is shipped to Asian markets, including Japan, India, South Korea and China.