U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing NATO allies and Asian nations to send warships to open the Strait of Hormuz. His goal is to free about 1,000 stranded oil tankers. The move comes as global oil prices jump past $105 a barrel.

At the same time, the Israeli military sent ground troops into southern Lebanon. This expansion follows a war that started on February 28, 2026. On that day, joint U.S. and Israeli air strikes killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei under Operation Epic Fury.

Pressure Mounts over the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz moves 20 million barrels of oil each day. That is one-fifth of all world oil. After the first strikes, Iran shut the sea route. It put sea mines in the water. This stopped most ship traffic.

On Air Force One, Donald Trump said key oil-buying nations must help. He wants them to send ships to clear mines and guard oil boats.

"I think China should help too. China gets 90 percent of its oil from the strait," Trump said.

Trump said NATO faces a bad path if allies do not send ships. But key allies say no. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said: "This war has nothing to do with NATO. It is not NATO's war."

Why Allies Are Hesitating

Lack of Consultation: Several European nations were not consulted prior to the initial February 28 strikes.

Article 5 Limitations: NATO's collective defense clause applies only when a member state suffers an attack on its own territory.

Differential Impact: Experts note that Iran's selective blockade targets vessels linked to the U.S. and Israel, leaving certain foreign shipments moving under specific agreements.

Country

Stand on Naval Deployment

Primary Concern

United States

Leading Operation Epic Fury; demands ally support

Reopening energy routes, military burden-sharing

Germany / EU

Declining deployment

Lack of NATO mandate, domestic political pressure

United Kingdom

Deploying domestic energy support

Focus on household relief from heating oil shocks

China

Urging de-escalation; no warships deployed

Relying on diplomatic channels for safe passage

Japan

Refusing combat deployments

Constitutional restrictions under pacifist framework

Israel Opens the Ground Front in Lebanon

On March 16, IDF troops moved into southern Lebanon. They launched small, focused ground operations near Khiam to target Hezbollah.

A brief pause in fighting broke down on March 2. Heavy rocket attacks started again on both sides. In response, Israel called up about 450,000 reserve troops.

More than 800,000 people in Lebanon have fled their homes. The U.S. supports Israel's focused push for now. Israeli leaders also agreed to leave Beirut's main airport alone during these first moves.

Map of southern Lebanon showing IDF ground troop movements near Khiam
IDF ground operations in southern Lebanon mark a major expansion of the conflict.

Economic Impact and Future Scenarios

The shut sea lane at Hormuz hit fuel markets hard. Gas costs in Europe jumped after drone hits on Ras Laffan in Qatar. Countries in South Asia have low fuel supplies. To help, energy groups freed 400 million barrels of saved oil.

Troops fight in southern Lebanon. Sea mines float in the Gulf. This war goes on. It brings big threats to world fuel trade.