Speaking to reporters, Trump acknowledged the difficulty of the task and provided no operational details but indicated that other countries were prepared to assist. “It won’t be easy, we will have that open fairly soon,” he said, adding that multiple nations reliant on the waterway were offering support.

The Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has seen traffic severely curtailed since Tehran effectively blocked passage following the outbreak of hostilities. The disruption has triggered sharp volatility in global energy markets and raised concerns over supply security.

The conflict escalated after U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran on Israel and U.S. military installations in Gulf states. The broader regional confrontation has resulted in significant casualties, mass displacement and sustained pressure on oil prices.Trump has also pressed allies to contribute more actively to securing the waterway.

Following talks with the U.S. president, Mark Rutte urged European governments to provide concrete commitments within days, according to Reuters reporting.A fragile ceasefire announced earlier this week between Washington and Tehran has yet to restore normal shipping flows through the strait.

Separately, the United Kingdom is set to convene another meeting next week involving countries seeking to reestablish safe maritime transit through the strait. The discussions are expected to include senior officials and focus on coordinated diplomatic, economic and potential security measures to ensure passage for commercial vessels.

The meeting follows earlier consultations involving dozens of countries, including foreign ministers and military planners, as governments weigh options ranging from sanctions on Iran to maritime security operations once conditions permit.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said a credible plan is needed to reopen the route and stabilize global trade flows.

In a televised address, Trump said U.S. forces had delivered “swift, decisive” results during 32 days of operations launched after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. He added that Washington was “on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly,” while warning of further heavy attacks if no agreement is reached.

The conflict has triggered widespread regional instability, with Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting Israel, U.S. bases and Gulf states, and opening a parallel front in Lebanon. Thousands have been killed across the region since the escalation began.

Trump reiterated that the U.S. military campaign aimed to neutralize Iran’s strategic capabilities, including its nuclear program, saying recent strikes had prevented Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He did not provide evidence to support the claim.Despite the escalation, diplomatic prospects remain uncertain.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Tehran is demanding a guaranteed ceasefire before halting its attacks and has not engaged in indirect talks on a temporary truce. Iran has also denied U.S. assertions that it requested a ceasefire.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a message addressed to the American public, said Iran holds no hostility toward ordinary U.S. citizens, though official positions suggest limited willingness to enter negotiations at this stage.The war has disrupted global energy markets, particularly after Iran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for roughly 20% of global oil and gas shipments.

Trump dismissed the strategic necessity of the passage for the United States and urged allies dependent on Gulf energy supplies to take steps to reopen it.Financial markets reacted negatively to the lack of a clear diplomatic roadmap, with global equities falling and oil prices rising following Trump’s address.

The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and International Energy Agency warned the conflict was having “substantial, global and highly asymmetric” economic effects and signaled coordination on potential support measures.U.S. officials said backchannel discussions involving intermediaries, including Pakistan, were ongoing, though no breakthrough has been reported.

Trump indicated he remained open to a deal but warned that failure to reach one could result in expanded strikes, including potential targeting of Iran’s electricity infrastructure.The U.S. president also renewed pressure on allies, suggesting countries reliant on Middle Eastern energy should take a more active role in ensuring maritime security in the region.

European officials, however, have cautioned against military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, citing concerns over international law.

Trump has also raised the prospect of reassessing U.S. commitments to the NATO, criticizing what he described as insufficient support from European allies in addressing the crisis.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said the withdrawal would proceed regardless of whether an agreement is reached with Tehran, adding that U.S. objectives in the conflict were nearing completion.

“We’re finishing the job, and I think within maybe two weeks, maybe a couple of days longer,” Trump said, indicating that the decision to leave would not hinge on negotiations.

“Whether we have a deal or not, it’s irrelevant.”The conflict, which began on Feb. 28, has disrupted global energy markets, with Iran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz to oil tanker traffic. Trump linked a potential easing of fuel price pressures to a U.S. withdrawal, suggesting that regional dynamics would shift once American forces exit.

He also urged other countries to secure their own energy supplies, signaling a reduced U.S. role in safeguarding maritime routes. “If France or some other country wants to get oil or gas, they’ll go up through the Hormuz Strait and fend for themselves,” Trump said.

In a social media post earlier in the day, Trump reiterated that position, telling countries facing shortages to “go get your own oil,” while asserting that Iran had been significantly weakened.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the coming days would be “decisive” in the conflict, without ruling out the possibility of ground operations. He added that the United States had undertaken extensive efforts to ensure navigational access through the Strait of Hormuz, though he emphasized that future responsibility would not rest solely with Washington.

Hegseth also confirmed an unannounced visit to U.S. forces operating under Central Command, declining to disclose locations for security reasons.Trump said U.S. forces would withdraw once Iran is deemed incapable of developing a nuclear weapon for a prolonged period, framing the campaign as aimed at degrading Tehran’s military and nuclear capabilities.

The remarks come amid strained coordination with allies, many of whom have declined U.S. requests for military support to reopen key shipping lanes.

The administration’s stance suggests a shift toward limiting direct U.S. involvement in securing global energy transit routes despite ongoing instability in the region.