Trump rebukes allies over Hormuz escorts as Iran strikes Gulf oil targets; oil prices rise

Several European partners decline immediate naval deployments as Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed; strikes hit UAE, Israel and Iraq amid third week of US-Israel war with Iran

Standfirst: President Donald Trump criticized some Western allies for hesitating to send warships to protect tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran launched drone and missile attacks across the region. Dubai’s main airport and energy facilities in the UAE faced disruptions, and oil prices climbed more than 2%.

President Donald Trump accused some Western allies of ingratitude after several countries declined his call to send warships to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran continued targeting oil and infrastructure in the Gulf and beyond.

The strategic waterway, which handles roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade, remains largely closed off, driving energy prices higher and stoking inflation fears.

Germany, Spain and Italy were among US partners with no immediate plans to commit naval assets to reopen the route, according to the source material. Trump said some allies were “very enthusiastic” but others — including nations he said the US has protected for “many, many years” — were not, adding: “The level of enthusiasm matters to me.”

The developments came as the US-Israeli war on Iran entered its third week with no end in sight.

What is confirmed

The Israeli military said it struck “Iranian regime infrastructure” in Tehran and Hezbollah targets in Beirut. It also said it has detailed plans for at least three more weeks of operations against Iran.

Iran launched overnight attacks on Israel and targeted the United Arab Emirates, where a drone strike hit an oil facility in Fujairah for a second consecutive day, the source material states. Airspace closures in the UAE temporarily halted flights, including several hours of disruption at Dubai International Airport, typically among the world’s busiest. Oil loading in Fujairah was halted and operations at the Shah gas field in Abu Dhabi were suspended following drone strikes.

Iran said a US weekend attack on military sites at Kharg Island — a key oil export hub — was launched from the UAE. Tehran warned it would target oil and gas facilities in any country from which US strikes on the island are carried out, and separately said it would target US industrial facilities in the Middle East, urging those living near US-owned plants to leave.

In Iraq, rockets and at least five drones targeted the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraqi security sources said, calling it the most intense assault since the war began. Two US officials said there were no injuries reported so far.

Oil prices rose more than 2% in early trade on supply concerns. Asian equities also rebounded after a sell-off in the previous session.

Official response

Speaking at a White House event, Trump voiced frustration with some allies’ reluctance to join the proposed naval escorts in Hormuz. “Some are countries that we’ve helped for many, many years. We’ve protected them from horrible outside sources and they weren’t that enthusiastic,” he said.

On Iran’s cross-border strikes, Trump said the breadth of Tehran’s retaliation against neighbors, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait, was unexpected: “Nobody expected that. We were shocked.”

Separately, Trump warned that attacking Iran could trigger retaliation against US Gulf allies, according to a US official and two sources familiar with US intelligence reporting.

What is not yet known

• Which countries, besides those named, will ultimately contribute naval escorts, and on what timeline: Not provided.
• Independent verification of the full extent of damage to UAE facilities and precise duration of airport and port disruptions: Not provided.
• Independent casualty figures across the region since hostilities began: Not provided.

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint for roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows. Prolonged disruption risks further spikes in energy prices, inflation pressure and shipping and aviation interruptions across the Gulf. Escalating strikes deepen the risk of a broader regional conflict implicating multiple US partners.

What happens next

The Israeli military says it has plans for at least three more weeks of operations against Iran. Allied decisions on naval escorts for Hormuz remain pending for several partners named. Heightened alerts continue across the UAE, Israel and Iraq following recent drone, rocket and missile strikes. Iran has warned it will target oil, gas and US-linked industrial facilities in the region if attacks continue.

Closing

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said at least 2,000 people — including at least 200 children in Iran — have been killed across the Middle East since the US and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28. The figures could not be independently verified.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.