Trump says Arab states should join U.S., Israel action against Iran

 U.S. President Donald Trump said Arab countries should join a U.S. and Israeli military operation against Iran, according to an interview with Israel’s Channel 14 television.

Trump said countries in the region should take a more active role in ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open. He added that states interested in maintaining oil supplies through the waterway should participate more actively in efforts against Iran.

Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on March 12 that Washington is considering the creation of an international coalition to escort ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Following Israeli and U.S. strikes, Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s main oil shipping routes — was effectively closed. Tehran said the restriction applied to all vessels, including commercial ships and tankers, causing maritime traffic in the strategic corridor to nearly halt.