The Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil chokepoint is once again at the center of a rapidly escalating geopolitical confrontation. In a dramatic escalation of the Iran crisis, US President Donald Trump has called on major global powers to deploy warships alongside the United States in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the strategic waterway remains open. The move comes after Iran’s leadership signaled plans to shut down the strait, a vital corridor through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply moves every day. Trump announced the push for a multinational naval presence, urging countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom to send ships to the region. WATCH