Trump Calls for International Naval Coalition Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions

President Donald Trump has appealed to world powers, including China, France, and Japan, to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz to counter an ongoing Iranian blockade. The President warned of a global energy crisis if the passage, which handles one-fifth of the world's oil, remains obstructed. While Trump stated that Iran appears interested in a deal to end the tensions to avoid military and economic collapse, he emphasized that no agreement has been reached as Tehran currently rejects U.S. terms. On the ground, regional instability is surging as Iran-backed militias in Iraq claimed five strikes against U.S. military installations, including Erbil and Victoria Base in Baghdad. In response to recent U.S. strikes, Iranian forces have urged evacuations near Gulf oil ports. Further south, the UAE faces new threats as Iran labeled major ports like Jebel Ali and Fujairah as potential military targets. Qatar has already begun evacuation efforts in Doha as missile and drone threats persist across the region. Diplomatic back-channels remain active, with the U.S. maintaining allowances for humanitarian flights over Iranian airspace despite the hostilities. Meanwhile, the conflict has sparked civil unrest abroad; in Washington D.C., Iranian-American protesters recently clashed with pro-regime groups near the White House, highlighting the deep-seated political divisions regarding the clerical leadership in Tehran.