US President Donald Trump sought to calm fears over growing instability in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, insisting that recent attacks linked to Iran had caused little disruption to international shipping.
But even as he played down the threat, the crisis appeared far from contained.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran had “taken some shots” at vessels connected to a US-led maritime operation known as Project Freedom. He singled out a South Korean cargo ship that was reportedly struck, and urged Seoul to take a more active role in the mission.
“Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission,” Trump wrote.
The remarks came as tensions across the Gulf deepened, rattling global oil markets and raising fresh concerns over the security of one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
Trump insisted there had been “no damage” in the Strait of Hormuz beyond the incident involving the South Korean vessel. He also avoided direct mention of reported attacks near the United Arab Emirates and Oman, comments that analysts viewed as an attempt to steady markets already shaken by weeks of conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz carries a significant share of the world’s oil exports. Even minor disruptions there can quickly drive up energy prices and unsettle financial markets.
The latest confrontation has added pressure to a ceasefire that diplomats had already described as fragile. US naval forces continued operating in the area on Monday, with Washington saying the deployments were aimed at protecting commercial shipping routes.
Trump also claimed US forces had “shot down” seven small Iranian military boats during the latest incidents.
Earlier, a senior US admiral said six Iranian vessels had been destroyed. Iranian authorities, however, rejected those claims, denying that any of their boats had been sunk.
Tehran has repeatedly accused Washington of escalating military activity in the Gulf, while US officials argue that Iran-backed actions have threatened civilian shipping and regional stability.
Neither side’s claims could immediately be independently verified.
The renewed tensions come at a politically sensitive moment for Trump, who has faced mounting scrutiny at home over the rising financial and military costs linked to the conflict with Iran. Critics in Washington have questioned whether the administration’s strategy risks pulling the United States deeper into a prolonged regional confrontation.
South Korea has not publicly responded to Trump’s call for greater involvement. Seoul has historically tried to balance its security ties with Washington against its economic interests in the Middle East, particularly its dependence on energy imports passing through the Gulf.
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