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Trump criticizes allies who rebuffed his calls to help secure Strait of Hormuz

March 16, 2026 10:29 pm

Israel is expanding “targeted” ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Here’s the latest

• Strait of Hormuz: President Donald Trump criticized allies who have rebuffed his demands to assist the US in fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as administration officials work to rally support for a coalition. No countries have yet committed to sending warships to the key waterway, although Trump said he will “soon” announce nations that have agreed to help.

• Lebanon warning: The leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom said they were “gravely concerned” about growing violence in Lebanon, and called for “immediate de-escalation” Earlier, Israel said it is expanding “limited” ground operations in Lebanon, where more than a million people have been internally displaced.

• Iran weighs in: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused neighboring countries that host US bases of enabling attacks on Iran.

What Trump said about the war in Iran from the Oval Office today

President Donald Trump took questions about Iran and the Middle East after signing an executive order at the White House today.

Here are the toplines:

The president said he will “soon” announce countries that have agreed to help the US reopen the Strait of Hormuz, even as he acknowledged many allies have so far rejected his overtures.

Asked whether he was surprised he wasn’t briefed that Iran could strike neighboring countries, Trump told reporters, “No, the greatest experts — nobody thought they were going to hit.”
The war won’t be finished this week, Trump said, but that it “won’t be long.” The US president said that the conflict will be “wrapped up soon.”
Trump’s trip to China this month will be delayed by “a month or so,” he said. “We’ve got a war going on. I think it’s important that I be here,” Trump said. The president has urged China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Meantime, Vice President JD Vance deflected when pressed about his past criticism of intervening in the Middle East, instead saying he trusts the president “to get the job done.”