Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States is "helping South Korea a lot" when questioned about seeking South Korea's assistance in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, amidst ongoing tensions related to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump made these comments during a press session at the White House. He emphasized that the U.S. no longer requires naval support from NATO countries or other nations, pointing to their hesitance to assist in keeping the strait open. The president expressed his positive view of U.S.-South Korea relations, highlighting the support the U.S. is providing to South Korea.
When asked about the possibility of escorting merchant ships through the strait with or without the assistance of allies, Trump responded by stating, "We don't use the strait." He further elaborated that while the U.S. does not rely on the Strait of Hormuz, other countries such as Europe, Korea, Japan, and China do need the strait for their energy imports and should therefore take part in its security.
Trump reiterated the importance of other nations contributing to the security of the Strait of Hormuz, given their dependence on this strategic passageway for energy supplies. The strait has been effectively choked off by Iran, which holds significant control over the passage that accounts for approximately one-fifth of the global oil supply. This development comes as the U.S. and Israel continue their military operations against Iran, which began in late February.