Trump had earlier stated that other countries would support the move to block vessels entering or leaving Hormuz, and that any ship that paid Iran to pass would be targeted.
He said, “No one who pays illegally will be allowed to pass through international waters. Any Iranian attempting to attack us will be sent to hell.”
Later, U.S. forces operating in the Middle East clarified Trump’s remarks, stating that only ships entering or leaving Iran through its ports would be targeted, and that vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz without using Iranian ports would not be affected.
In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump reaffirmed that the United States would begin blocking ships entering or leaving all Iranian ports starting April 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM Kigali time.
The refusal by France and the United Kingdom to cooperate with the U.S. signals growing divisions among major global powers.
Trump has frequently criticized these countries, accusing them of failing to provide full support in confronting Iran, and has even threatened to withdraw from NATO and pull U.S. troops out of Europe.
European leaders, however, have indicated willingness to help secure the Strait of Hormuz if there is a genuine effort to end the conflict and reach an agreement with Iran to ensure safe passage for ships.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told European members that Trump is seeking their cooperation in securing the waterway.
Rutte recently stated that NATO could play a role in ensuring security in Hormuz if all 32 member states agree to deploy forces to protect the critical route.
Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said they are working closely with India to find alternative routes for its ships through Hormuz.
This comes as nearly 40% of oil shipments bound for India have been unable to pass due to the ongoing conflict.
At the same time, the United Nations has announced efforts to facilitate the safe passage of fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
The UN is considering this initiative after its Security Council recently failed to reach agreement on deploying forces to protect vessels passing through the route.
