Trump says Strait of Hormuz will be secured soon: 'It won’t be too long'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said he is confident the Strait of Hormuz will be secured soon. He spoke during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin on Tuesday, March 17.
Trump added, “It won't be, I don't believe, too long.” On the other hand, NATO countries would not assist in the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran. Trump also said the US is closely watching the situation to keep global trade routes safe.
The conflict entered its 18th day after the first strike on February 28.
Donald Trump on Strait of Hormuz
At the Oval Office, during a press briefing with Martin, Trump was asked, “What's your time frame for when cargo ships can safely go through the Strait?” He replied, “It won't be, I don't believe, too long. We're knocking hell out of the coast. It's basically the coast and the water."
He added, "And it won't be too long, and the Middle Eastern states, including Israel, by the way, who has been terrific - the Middle Eastern states have been helping us a lot.”
Trump did not give a specific timeline or detail how the US plans to secure the strategic waterway. He also praised regional partners, adding, “The Middle Eastern states, including Israel, by the way, who has been terrific, the Middle Eastern states have been helping us a lot.”
Us strikes Iran near Strait of Hormuz as global oil trade faces risk
During the press meet, Trump dismissed warnings from Iran’s deputy foreign minister that sending US troops could spark another Vietnam-style conflict. “No, I'm not afraid of - I'm really not afraid of anything,” Trump said, according to the AP.
On the other hand, Trump has urged other countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, which has been affected by the conflict with Iran. When allies did not respond positively, he criticised NATO for not joining the effort, calling their reluctance a “very foolish mistake” and saying their lack of support is disappointing.
Trump also stated, “We do not need the help of anyone.” Despite this, he continued to call on nations that benefit from the shipping route to take responsibility and help keep it safe.
Hours ago, U.S. forces successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in the… pic.twitter.com/hgCSFH0cqO
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 17, 2026
Right now, the situation near the Strait of Hormuz remains tense and dangerous. The US military said it targeted Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz with 5,000-pound “deep penetrator” bombs. These sites had missiles that could threaten ships passing through the strait.
For those unaware, the Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for the world’s energy supply. It connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and handles about 20% of global oil shipments. Because of the conflict, shipping through the strait is risky, and oil prices have jumped above $100 a barrel.
As per Time, analysts warn that if the fighting continues or escalates, prices could reach $150-$200 a barrel. Keeping the Strait open is crucial. Any long-term disruption could seriously affect the global energy market and push oil supplies and prices into crisis.
