Trump Says Some Countries ‘On the Way’ to Help Open Hormuz Strait

Some other countries ‘weren’t that enthusiastic,’ Trump said.

President Donald Trump provides updates on Iran war at lunch with the Kennedy Center Board members at the White House on March 16, 2026.

President Donald Trump said on March 16 that several nations will send warships to join the U.S. Navy in escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz but expressed disappointment that several key NATO “big boys,” notably the UK and Germany, have not responded to his call for a joint operation.

“Numerous countries have told me they’re on the way,” he said at a Kennedy Center luncheon. “Some are very enthusiastic about it. Some are in countries that we’ve helped for many, many years.”