As the Iran-US war enters its 16th day, President Donald Trump has made a public appeal on Truth Social. He is asking the world's most powerful countries to send their warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This is the biggest headline of Day 16 of the conflict. The battle over the Hormuz waterway is now the center of the entire war.
Trump named specific countries in his post. He called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and others to join the United States in keeping the strait open and safe. This is a major shift from his earlier claims that the war would be "quick and easy."
What Did Trump Say on Truth Social?
Trump posted two messages on Truth Social about the Strait of Hormuz. In his first post, he said many countries that are hurt by Iran's closure of the Hormuz waterway should send their warships. He asked them to work "in conjunction with the United States of America to keep the strait open and safe."
He also claimed that the US has "already destroyed 100% of Iran's military capability." But then he admitted that Iran might still send "a drone, a mine, or a small missile." This is a very important detail. If Iran's military is 100% destroyed, why would they still be able to attack?
Trump called the Strait of Hormuz closure an "artificial constraint." He said he would keep "bombing the shoreline and continually shooting Iranian boats and ships out of the water" while other countries help reopen the waterway.
Trump's Second Post After No Response
When no country responded to his first appeal, Trump posted again about 20 hours later. In this second Truth Social post, he said America has "beaten and completely decimated" Iran "both militarily, economically, and in every other way."
He then told the countries of the world that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait that they "must take care of that passage." He offered that the US "will help a lot" and would "coordinate with those countries so that everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well."
He ended by saying it should have "always been a team effort" and that it "will bring the world together toward harmony, security, and everlasting peace."
The Strait of Hormuz Shipping Data Tells the Real Story
The Financial Times released a very important graph. It shows the number of ships going in and out of the Persian Gulf since Iran announced the Hormuz closure on March 1st.
Here is what the data shows:
- There has been a 50% to 60% decline in ships leaving the Gulf
- Ships going into the Gulf have dropped to almost zero
- The maximum number of ships entering the Gulf is between one and five per day
This data proves that Iran has successfully controlled the Strait of Hormuz. Despite Trump's claims of total military destruction, Iran is still in charge of this critical waterway.
Iran Says It Will Only Block US and Israeli Ships
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already said that Iran will only stop American and Israeli ships. Ships from all other countries can pass through the Strait of Hormuz freely. This means the other countries Trump is asking for help do not really need to fight Iran. They can simply talk to Iran directly to let their ships through.
This is exactly what many countries are doing right now. They are dealing with Iran directly instead of joining Trump's coalition. That is why no country responded to his Truth Social appeal.
Trump Has a Pattern of Asking Others to Pay and Fight
This is not the first time Trump has asked other countries to do the hard work. He has a long history of this:
The Mexico Wall
Trump said Mexico would pay for the border wall. When he became president, Mexico did not pay a single dollar for it.
The Gaza Peace Plan
Trump started a Gaza peace plan and said Arab countries would pay for it and send forces. Most countries did not send any forces to disarm Hamas. The UAE gave some money, but the plan never fully worked.
The Strait of Hormuz
Now Trump is asking the whole world to come and help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Based on his track record, it is very unlikely that any country will send warships to fight Iran on America's behalf.
What Trump's Words Really Tell Us
If you read Trump's Truth Social posts carefully, every other line actually admits something important:
- The Strait of Hormuz is closed and not under US control
- Iran closed it, not the US
- The US cannot open it alone and needs help
- Despite claims of 100% military destruction, Iran is still a threat
Calling the closure "artificial" does not make the strait open again. The reality on the ground, and on the water, is very different from what Trump says on Truth Social.
The War Cost Is Rising Fast
Reports from the Financial Times, New York Times, and Washington Post said the war is costing the US approximately $890 million per day. The US has also lost at least 10 naval vessels and more than 13 soldiers confirmed killed. Iran claims the number of US soldiers killed is over 200.
All of this is happening in a war that the US did not need to fight. Iran had not fired a single shot at the US before this war started.
How Will This War End?
Iran has made it very clear that it will not surrender. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a recent statement that Iran has "never asked for a ceasefire from America" and is "ready to defend as long as needed."
Iran is not Japan. Even if the US considers extreme measures, Iran will not lay down its weapons. The most likely ending is that Donald Trump will get bored or the political cost at home will become too high. Then the US will pull back and declare victory no matter what the real result is.
No country is coming to help the US. The Strait of Hormuz remains under Iran's control. And the daily cost of this war keeps climbing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did Trump ask other countries to help open the Strait of Hormuz?
Trump asked other nations because the US alone has not been able to reopen the strait. Iran controls the waterway and the US needs naval support from allies like China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK to challenge Iran's blockade.
Has any country responded to Trump's appeal?
No country has publicly responded to Trump's Truth Social appeal. Most countries that need oil from the Persian Gulf are dealing with Iran directly since Iran said it would only block American and Israeli ships.
Is the Strait of Hormuz fully closed?
The Strait of Hormuz is not fully closed to all ships. Iran has blocked US and Israeli vessels. But shipping data from the Financial Times shows a 50-60% decline in overall traffic, and ships entering the Gulf have dropped to almost zero.
How much is the Iran war costing the United States?
According to reports from major US news outlets, the war is costing around $890 million per day. The US has also lost multiple naval vessels and confirmed soldier casualties.
Will Iran surrender or agree to a ceasefire?
Iran has clearly stated it will not seek a ceasefire. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is ready to defend itself for as long as necessary. Iran's decentralized military structure makes it very hard to force a surrender.
Why is no country helping America in this war?
Most countries see this as America's war fought for Israel's benefit. Since Iran is not blocking their ships, they have no reason to fight Iran. They can negotiate directly with Tehran for safe passage through the Hormuz Strait.