US demanding countries assist with ship escorts in Strait of Hormuz: UN ambassador 

United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz on Sunday said that the U.S. is demanding that international allies help escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict in Iran.

“President Trump is calling upon the world, saying the entire world is affected,” Waltz told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union.” “Iran can’t hold your economies hostage, and we certainly welcome, encourage and even demand their participation to help their own economies.”

In recent days, the Trump administration has indicated that it is looking to U.S. allies to help escort shipping traffic through the Strait, one of the world’s key shipping lanes that has been effectively closed since the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes in Iran late last month.

The Hill reached out to the White House for comment on whether the administration has issued an explicit demand to other countries amid President Trump’s push for allies to assist in the region. Waltz noted that conversations on any possible escorts remain “ongoing.”

Trump said Saturday that “many countries” will send warships to patrol the vital route, adding that “hopefully” China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom will dispatch vessels to the region.

Last week, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei announced that the Hormuz Strait would remained closed, defying calls from global markets to reopen the vital shipping lane, where about a fifth of the world’s oil supply travels through.

According to the White House, the U.S. Navy has not yet escorted any tankers through the waterway amid Trump’s vow to do so in the midst of the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Thursday that he expects the U.S. to begin escorting vessels before the end of the month.

Any possible escorts through the Strait could prove to be both costly and risky, putting U.S. servicemembers in direct danger of Iranian drone and missile attacks.

“The US military will continue to pound the Iranian military and their missile boat and drone forces to keep the straits open,” Waltz told Tapper Sunday.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Trump snarls GOP’s midterm message 

Judge rules Kennedy Center must allow Dem lawmaker to attend board meeting

Judge rules Trump administration unlawfully refused to request CFPB funding

Maher swipes at Trump over Iran war: ‘I don’t understand’ why US can’t ...

Trump administration offers $10M reward for information on Iranian leaders

Hegseth, Trump face perilous options in the Strait of Hormuz

Shapiro to Maher: ‘I refuse to take any of your bait’ on 2028 election ...

Why you may be asked about your citizenship at these national parks

Trump officials erupt at CNN over report on surprise over Strait of Hormuz ...

Senate Democrat calls for investigation into Texas drone incidents

Trump administration orders restart of California offshore oil operations

Democrats file war powers resolution to prevent Trump from attacking Cuba ...

House Republicans threaten to oppose Senate bills until SAVE America Act passes

Texas, Florida face pushback over efforts to exclude Islamic schools from ...

Trump’s surgeon general pick now says people should get vaccinated for measles

FCC chair threatens networks’ licenses after Trump complains about Iran ...

Trump confirms giving officials dress shoes: ‘I don’t want my Cabinet ...

Illinois Democrats duke it out for Durbin’s seat

© The Hill