Strait of Hormuz: Trump's call for joint action and global energy security

Imagine the artery that powers the global economy, carrying millions of barrels of oil every day, providing the world with energy and stability. This is the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but strategically vital sea route that is constantly under the sights of geopolitical ambitions and regional conflicts. Donald Trump’s recent call for other nations to join forces to ensure the safety of shipping through the strait is not just another political statement. It is a profound analysis of the real threats and a recognition that stability in the Persian Gulf is a shared responsibility that extends far beyond the borders of the region. Why is this call so urgent, and what consequences might ignoring it have for global trade, energy security, and international relations?

A tanker sails through the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, near the United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026, as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran rages; the picture was taken from north of Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman's Musandam Governorate. REUTERS/Stringer/File photo.

Trump's Call for Collective Security: A New Dimension to an Old Problem

Donald Trump's statement on the Strait of Hormuz, while delivered in his characteristically blunt manner, highlights a deep-seated problem with global energy security. The former US president called on other countries, especially those heavily dependent on oil supplies from the Persian Gulf, to take greater responsibility for protecting this critical sea route.^[1]His argument is based on the principle that the countries that benefit most from unimpeded shipping should also bear the brunt of its protection, rather than relying entirely on American military resources. This approach reflects his long-standing “America First” philosophy, but in the context of the Strait of Hormuz it takes on special weight because of the ongoing threats and incidents in the region.

Trump’s call comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the West, as well as a surge in attacks on commercial shipping. These incidents, often attributed to Iranian proxies or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps directly, not only endanger the lives of sailors but also pose risks to global supply chains and global oil prices. His statement is not just a call to action, but rather a demand to rethink the model of international partnership in securing strategically important waterways, inviting the active participation of those whose economic interests directly depend on stability in the region. He emphasized that the United States has been the “world’s policeman” for too long, and it is time for other strong economies to join in the responsibility for the common good.^[2].

The Strait of Hormuz: The Heart of the Global Energy System

The importance of the Strait of Hormuz to the global economy cannot be overstated. This narrow passage, only about 39 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. It carries about 20% of the world's oil and 30% of all seaborne oil, or more than 17 million barrels of crude oil per day.^[3]This makes the strait the world's most important route for transporting oil and natural gas, which comes from energy-rich countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

In addition to crude oil, the strait is a key route for transporting significant volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG), especially from Qatar, which is one of the world’s largest LNG exporters. Any disruption to shipping in the region could have catastrophic consequences for global energy markets, causing a sharp increase in oil and gas prices, supply shortages and, as a result, a global economic crisis. The strait’s geographical location, surrounded on one side by Iran and on the other by Oman and the UAE, makes it particularly vulnerable to regional conflicts and blockades. Iran, in particular, has repeatedly threatened to block the strait in response to international sanctions or military action, making it a permanent flashpoint on the geopolitical map of the world.

Chronicle of Tensions: Incidents and Threats

The history of the Strait of Hormuz is marked by numerous incidents that demonstrate its volatile nature. As early as the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, known as the "Tanker War," both sides attacked tankers carrying oil from the enemy and its allies. By then, the United States and other Western countries were already forced to intervene to protect commercial shipping.^[4].

The situation remains tense in recent history. In 2019, the world witnessed a series of attacks on tankers in the Gulf of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz, including the incidents involving the Norwegian tanker Front Altair and the Japanese tanker Kokuka Courageous. The United States and Saudi Arabia blamed Iran for these attacks, which denied involvement. These events highlighted the vulnerability of commercial shipping and Iran’s ability to destabilize the region. That same year, Iran seized the British tanker Stena Impero in retaliation for Iran’s seizure of the British supertanker Grace 1 (later Adrian Darya 1) near Gibraltar on suspicion of violating EU sanctions on Syria.

Iran also demonstrated its military capabilities by shooting down a US RQ-4 Global Hawk reconnaissance drone in June 2019, claiming it violated its airspace.^[5]Iran’s ongoing military exercises in the region, which include simulated attacks on aircraft carriers and the use of small speedboats and mines, are a clear signal that Tehran is prepared to close the strait in the event of an escalation of the conflict. These actions create a high risk of accidental escalation that could have unintended consequences for the entire world.

Global response and debates about responsibility

Donald Trump’s call for other nations to take greater responsibility for the security of the Strait of Hormuz is not a new phenomenon in international politics. For decades, the United States has been the primary guarantor of security in the Persian Gulf, maintaining a significant military presence, including ships from the US Navy’s 5th Fleet. However, given the growing challenges and changing geopolitical landscape, the discussion of burden-sharing has taken on new urgency.

Following a series of tanker attacks in 2019, the United States initiated the International Maritime Security Architecture (IMSC), also known as Operation Sentinel, to enhance surveillance and security in the region.^[6]. It was joined by countries such as the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Albania. European countries, while recognizing the need to protect shipping, often seek to avoid excessive escalation with Iran and therefore formed their own initiative – the European Maritime Situational Awareness Mission in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH), known as Operation AHANOR, which includes France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. This division into two separate missions reflects differences in approaches to regional security and the degree of readiness of countries for a direct confrontation with Iran.

Critics of the American approach argue that an excessive US military presence could itself provoke Iran, while supporters insist on the need for strong deterrence. Regardless of the approach, it is clear that effective security in the Strait requires close coordination and intelligence sharing between all parties involved. Failure to act together or over-reliance on one country increases risks and undermines overall stability.

Economic consequences of instability: A blow to the global economy

Any instability in the Strait of Hormuz inevitably leads to economic shocks that are felt far beyond the Persian Gulf. The main and most obvious consequence is a rise in oil prices. When markets see a threat to supplies, they react instantly, increasing risk premia. For example, after the attacks on tankers in 2019, Brent crude prices rose by several percent in a matter of hours^[7]This price increase directly impacts costs for consumers around the world through more expensive fuel, and also increases production costs for industry, which can lead to inflation and slow economic growth.

In addition, insurance premiums for ships passing through the strait are rising. Shipping companies are forced to pay more for insurance against military risks, which in turn increases the cost of transporting goods. These additional costs are ultimately passed on to end consumers, making imported goods more expensive. Even minor delays or rerouting of ships to avoid the danger zone can lead to significant losses and disruptions in global supply chains. Some companies are already considering alternative, albeit more expensive and longer, routes or transportation methods to avoid risks in the strait, further affecting the efficiency of global trade^[8].

The ongoing tensions in the region are also deterring investors. Companies considering investments in the energy sector or logistics in the Persian Gulf face increased risks, which could reduce capital flows to the region and slow its economic development. Therefore, stability in the Strait of Hormuz is not just a matter of regional security, but a key factor for the health of the entire global economy.

Iran as a Key Actor: Motivation and Strategy

Iran’s role in the dynamics of the Strait of Hormuz is central. The Islamic Republic of Iran views the strait not only as a vital sea route but also as a strategic lever of influence on the world stage. Its motivation to destabilize or threaten to destabilize the strait comes from several sources. First, it is a response to international sanctions that significantly limit the country’s economic development and its ability to export its own oil. Tehran sees the threat to the strait as a way to pressure the international community to ease or lift these sanctions.^[9].

Second, there is regional rivalry. Iran seeks to assert its hegemony in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East, competing with countries such as Saudi Arabia. Control or the ability to control the strait is a powerful symbol of its regional influence. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) plays a key role in this strategy, conducting naval exercises, deploying speedboats, coastal missile launchers, and hunting submarines. Their doctrine of asymmetric warfare allows them to threaten shipping even against a technologically superior enemy.

Third, it is domestic politics. Demonstrating strength and the ability to resist Western pressure is an important element in maintaining the legitimacy of the Islamic regime among conservative circles of the population. Iran's strategy regarding the Strait of Hormuz is a complex mix of military deterrence, diplomatic pressure, and asymmetric threats aimed at maximizing its influence and minimizing vulnerability to international pressure.

Ways Forward: International Cooperation vs. Unilateral Actions

The complexity of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz requires a multi-vector approach. Unilateral actions, no matter how powerful, often lead to escalation and deepening mistrust. Trump’s call for burden-sharing is appropriate, because a global problem requires a global solution. However, the implementation of such an approach faces a number of challenges. First, there is a lack of unity among international actors on the optimal strategy for Iran. Some countries prefer the diplomatic path and preserving the nuclear deal, while others insist on increasing pressure.

Second, it is a question of trust and coordination. For a collective security architecture to function effectively, a high level of intelligence sharing, coherence of action, and a clear understanding of the rules of engagement are necessary. This requires not only political will, but also significant investments in shared resources and training.^[10].

Possible solutions include strengthening existing international initiatives, such as IMSC and EMASOH, and finding common ground for their coordination. Developing international incident response protocols that ensure a rapid and proportionate response is also critical. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions with Iran must go hand in hand with military deterrence. This could include dialogue on the nuclear program, regional security, and mutual assurances. Only through a combination of diplomacy, deterrence, and collective efforts can long-term stability in the Strait of Hormuz be achieved and the uninterrupted shipping that is vital to the global economy be guaranteed.

Ukraine and the Strait of Hormuz: Indirect but tangible impact

Although the Strait of Hormuz is located far from Ukraine, events in this region have an indirect but tangible impact on the Ukrainian economy and geopolitical situation. Ukraine, as a country that imports a significant part of energy resources and is integrated into the global economy, is vulnerable to fluctuations in oil and gas prices. Any escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to an increase in global energy prices, directly affects the cost of imports for Ukraine, increasing pressure on the national budget and consumers. This can lead to increased inflation, higher logistics costs, and a decrease in the purchasing power of the population.

In addition, destabilization in the Persian Gulf diverts the attention and resources of Ukraine’s key international partners, such as the United States and the European Union. When these countries are forced to focus on resolving the crisis in one region, this may affect their ability to support Ukraine in its confrontation with the aggressor. Reducing attention to Ukraine, redistributing military or financial resources to other hot spots may weaken the international coalition in support of Ukraine^[11].

Ukraine also has its own trade interests related to maritime transport. While Ukrainian ships may not directly transit the Strait of Hormuz with the same intensity as oil tankers, global shipping disruptions and rising insurance rates are affecting all global logistics. This can make it more difficult to export Ukrainian products (e.g., agricultural products, metals) to Asian and African markets, increasing costs and reducing competitiveness. Thus, ensuring stability in the Strait of Hormuz, although seemingly a distant issue, is an important element in maintaining global economic stability, which has direct consequences for Ukraine’s national interests and its ability to recover and develop in the post-war period.

Sources

1. The Wall Street Journal: "Trump's Call for Burden-Sharing in Middle East Security"
2. CNN Politics: "Trump Urges Allies to Contribute More to Global Security"
3. US Energy Information Administration (EIA): "The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil transit chokepoint"
4. Naval History and Heritage Command: "The Tanker War, 1987-1988"
5. BBC News: "Iran shoots down US drone in Gulf of Oman amid rising tensions"
6. Combined Maritime Forces: "International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) Fact Sheet"
7. Reuters: "Oil prices surge after attacks on tankers in Gulf of Oman"
8. Lloyd's List: "Insurance rates soar as Gulf shipping risks escalate"
9. Council on Foreign Relations: "Iran's Strategic Objectives in the Persian Gulf"
10. Brookings Institution: "The Future of Maritime Security in the Persian Gulf"
11. Center for Global Studies “Strategy”: “The Impact of the Middle East Crises on the Ukrainian Economy and International Support”