President Donald Trump said Monday that he is frustrated some countries will not join a coalition to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Some are very enthusiastic, and some are less than enthusiastic,” Trump told reporters at a press conference. “And I assume some will not do it. I think we have one or two that will not do it that we’ve been protecting for about 40 years at tens of billions of dollars.”
Trump has been pressuring U.S. allies to send military forces to get oil exports flowing through the Strait. Tanker traffic through the narrow sea route has plunged due to Iranian attacks. This has triggered the largest oil supply disruption in history, with crude prices surging about 40% since the war began.
Trump declined to name which nations have agreed to participate in the coalition. The president said the White House will soon announce a list of countries that have agreed to do so.
“Numerous countries have told me they’re on the way,” Trump said.
