The United States is rallying international allies to secure the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz as attacks linked to Iran continue to disrupt global oil shipments and drive energy prices higher.
US President Donald Trump said Washington is working to assemble a global coalition to regain control of the crucial shipping route and escort stranded vessels, with the aim of stabilising the oil market. Brent crude prices were trading above $105 per barrel as of Monday amid the escalating crisis.
According to US officials, American forces carried out extensive military operations across Iran over the weekend, expanding the campaign to include Kharg Island a key oil hub responsible for about 90% of the country’s oil exports.
The continued confrontation centers on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but critical maritime passage through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply typically flows.
Iran has launched attacks on oil tankers and cargo vessels in the waterway, effectively shutting down the route and triggering sharp increases in global energy prices.
Trump reiterated that the proposed multinational coalition would focus on securing the strait and escorting stranded vessels in order to restore oil exports and reduce soaring crude prices.
Meanwhile, the European Union is considering launching naval operations to help reopen the strait after Trump called for international cooperation to stabilise global oil supplies.
“It is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, and that’s why we are also discussing what we can do in this regard from the European side,” said Kaja Kallas.
Kallas spoke ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, where rising energy and fertiliser prices pushed the war in Iran to the top of the agenda.
She said the EU could expand its Operation Aspides mission to extend protection for shipping from the Red Sea into the Persian Gulf, or form a “coalition of the willing” where member states contribute military forces on an ad hoc basis.
At the United Nations in Geneva, Iran strongly rejected the military pressure and warned that its population faces grave danger from US and Israeli strikes.
Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council, Iran’s ambassador Ali Bahreini said the international community should focus on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East rather than internal issues in Iran.
“The most urgent and fundamental human rights issue concerning Iran is the imminent threat to the lives of 90 million people whose lives are in immediate and grave danger under the shadow of reckless military aggression,” Bahreini said.
He described the attacks as “lawless aggression” carried out by some of the most unscrupulous actors on the global stage.
Missile and Drone Attacks Reported
The United Arab Emirates also reported fresh attacks on Monday, saying it intercepted six ballistic missiles and 21 drones launched from Iran.
According to the UAE Defence Ministry, a total of 304 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,627 drones have been launched since the conflict began.
The ministry said the attacks have killed seven people, including two troops.
