On April 10 (US time), US President Donald Trump said that reopening the Strait of Hormuz would take place in the near future, but admitted that this is not an easy task in the context of escalating regional conflict.
Speaking to the press, Mr. Trump said the US will soon put this shipping line back into operation, while emphasizing that this process faces many challenges. He said that some other countries are also proposing support, although he did not specify the names.
The Strait of Hormuz has been blockaded by Iran since wars with the US and Israel broke out, causing the most serious disruption in history to global energy supplies. This route has undertaken about 20% of the world's transportation of crude oil and liquefied natural gas.
Mr. Trump expressed dissatisfaction that NATO allies have not actively participated in ensuring maritime security. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, after meeting with Mr. Trump, called on European governments to make specific commitments in a short time to support the protection of the strait.
The conflict began when the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, then Tehran responded with attacks on Israel and US bases in the Gulf region. Widespread airstrikes and fighting, including Israel's campaign in Lebanon, have killed thousands of people and displaced millions.
The escalating situation has pushed oil prices up sharply and shaken the global market. Mr. Trump previously announced a fragile ceasefire agreement with Iran, while maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained stagnant.
Although the prospect of reopening this transport route has been mentioned, actual developments show that the process of restoring operations in the Strait of Hormuz will continue to face many uncertainties in the coming time.
