Donald Trump called on U.S. allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz after Iran disrupted shipping in response to U.S.-Israeli strikes.
Still, several European nations expressed reluctance to join a potential military mission. The vital waterway, which carries about a fifth of the world’s crude oil, has been at the center of escalating attacks on shipping that have pushed global oil prices up by 40 to 50 percent.
The conflict has also expanded to Lebanon, where Israeli forces launched limited ground operations against Hezbollah, raising fears of a wider regional war. European governments said the crisis should not involve NATO, signaling divisions among Western allies over the response.
Meanwhile, missile and drone strikes across the Gulf and Iran have intensified the humanitarian crisis, with millions reportedly displaced by the widening conflict.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 17, 2026
