Why Trump may find it hard to reopen Hormuz - with or without allies

Reuters
Mar 18, 2026 | 09:28 IST

Trump side-stepped diplomacy on way to war in Iran. Now, he wants all to help. But even if even if he can assemble a major coalition, although unlikely, it could prove very hard to end Iran's blockade. Here's why

US President Donald Trump has demanded help from allies to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which usually carries about a fifth of global energy supplies, but even if he can assemble a major coalition it could prove very hard to end Iran's blockade.

Trump says he’s asked roughly a half-dozen other countries to send warships to reopen the vital strait. So far, none have committed. Trump even indicated he would use his long-planned trip to China to pressure Beijing to help with a new coalition meant to get oil tanker traffic moving through the strait — a notion that his treasury secretary later downplayed.
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