Dubai, March 16
US President Donald Trump has said he has asked about seven countries to send warships to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open, as Iranian strikes continued across Gulf states early on Monday and fears grew over disruption to global oil supplies.
Speaking amid mounting regional tensions, Mr Trump said Washington was in talks with countries heavily dependent on Middle East crude to join a coalition to police the strategic waterway, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil passes. He did not identify the countries involved.
The comments came as Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international passengers, suspended operations after a drone struck a fuel tank and triggered a fire.
Authorities in Dubai said the blaze was quickly brought under control and no injuries were reported, but flights will remain suspended as the situation is assessed.
Iran, meanwhile, accused the United States of using “ports, docks and hideouts” in the United Arab Emirates to launch strikes on Kharg Island, the site of Iran’s main oil export terminal. Tehran did not provide evidence to support the claim.
The allegation came as oil prices surged amid concerns that continued attacks in and around the Gulf could threaten energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.
The conflict has also widened elsewhere in the region. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes have worsened an already severe humanitarian crisis, with more than 850 people reported killed and over 850,000 displaced.
The developments mark a sharp escalation in tensions across the Middle East, with global markets closely watching whether shipping routes and oil exports can be kept open in the days ahead.
PTI
