Donald Trump has urged allies including the UK to deploy ships to the Strait of Hormuz as attacks on vessels raise concerns over global energy supplies.

Over the weekend, the US president called for a multinational naval presence in the region to keep the key shipping route open after several ships were struck by projectiles or explosive boats in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Persian Gulf over the past two days.

Posting on Truth Social on Saturday (14 March), Trump said Iran could still disrupt the waterway despite suffering heavy military losses.

“We have already destroyed 100 per cent of Iran’s military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this waterway,” he said.

He added that countries affected by the disruption should help secure the route.

“Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat.”

A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence said the government’s position had not changed and that discussions with allies and partners were continuing over “a range of options”.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron said France would consider sending naval vessels to the region on a limited escort mission once the most intense phase of the conflict had passed.

The comments come as tensions in the Gulf escalate and concerns grow that disruptions to oil shipments could push energy prices higher and increase the risk of a global economic slowdown.

Iranian officials have denied that the strait has been fully closed. Abbas Araghchi said the route remains open to most shipping.

Last week, following growing concerns over the risk to the global fertiliser supply, Department for environment, farming and rural affairs (DEFRA) held talks with the NFU about the resilience of the country’s food supply chain

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