President Trump has called for international help in securing the Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping lane which carries much of the world’s supplies of oil and natural gas from the Middle East.
Iran has been attacking shipping passing through the Strait, as well as attacking installations and refineries in neighbouring countries, causing huge disruption to global energy supplies. The price of fossil fuels has surged since the war began, stoking fears of global recession and inflation.
Writing on his Truth Social media platform, Trump said: “the Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage… the US will coordinate with those Countries so that everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well. This should have always been a team effort, and now it will be – It will bring the World together toward Harmony, Security, and Everlasting Peace!”
The US President called on China, France, Japan and the UK to send warships to the region. It follows US airstrikes on Iran’s key Kharg Island oil facilities. There are reports that the Trump administration is sending thousands of US marines to the region. Iran has responded by threatening to escalate the war by targeting any facility in the region with US ties.
Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Nick Beake, Wyre Davies, Marc Ashdown and Jonathan Beale.
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