President Trump Calls on Allies to Secure Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Conflict

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What's Happening

President Donald Trump has called on the United Kingdom, France, South Korea, Japan, and China to assist in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, as the U.S. announced bombardment of Iran's Jarg oil terminal. This comes as debris from an intercepted Iranian drone struck an oil terminal in Fujairah, UAE, causing a fire, and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was attacked with missiles. Iran's Revolutionary Guard has warned that U.S.-linked facilities in the UAE are now legitimate targets, while Hamas has urged Iran to cease targeting neighboring Arab countries.

How We Got Here

The current escalation in the Middle East follows a series of events stretching back several years, fundamentally altering regional dynamics. A significant turning point occurred on May 8, 2018, when the Trump administration withdrew the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. This withdrawal set the stage for renewed tensions and a shift in U.S. policy toward Iran. Years later, on February 22, 2026, five exiled Iranian Kurdish organizations, primarily based in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, announced the formation of the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan. This alliance declared its goals to include the overthrow of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the achievement of Kurdish self-determination, and the establishment of a democratic administrative system in Iranian Kurdistan, signaling potential internal challenges to the Iranian government. Days later, on February 28, 2026, a series of rapid and significant developments plunged the region into open conflict. The United States and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran, targeting more than 20 of Iran's 32 provinces. President Donald Trump described these as "major combat operations" aimed at military, intelligence, and government-linked sites. These strikes were initiated without authorization from the U.S. Congress, marking a dramatic shift in the U.S. approach to Iran. On the same day, February 28, 2026, Iranian state media and Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in his office during the U.S. and Israeli strikes. Satellite imagery showed significant damage to his compound, and his death, after nearly four decades in power, triggered the process for the Assembly of Experts to select a successor. This event marked a critical turning point, removing Iran's long-standing spiritual and political leader. In immediate retaliation, Iran launched a wave of missile and drone strikes across multiple Middle Eastern countries, including Israel, Bahrain, Syria, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. These attacks targeted Israel and U.S. military bases, with explosions reported in various locations, including Tel Aviv and Dubai International Airport, causing casualties and injuries. This rapid escalation demonstrated Iran's capacity for regional retaliation. Following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iran moved to establish a new leadership structure. On March 1, 2026, Iran completed the formation of a tripartite transition council, comprising President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and cleric Alireza Arafi. This council was tasked with assuming the functions of the deceased supreme leader until a successor could be appointed, aiming to maintain governmental continuity amidst the conflict. Amidst the ongoing military actions, economic repercussions quickly became apparent. On March 1, 2026, following the military action by the United States and Israel against Iran, the price of Brent crude oil surged approximately 10% to around $80 per barrel in off-exchange trading. This initial price hike signaled the potential for broader economic instability stemming from the conflict. Further economic and logistical disruptions materialized on March 2, 2026, when a drone attack halted operations at Qatar's largest LNG facility, operated by QatarEnergy. This facility, which accounts for about one-fifth of global LNG supply, also ceased production of some derived products the following day. This incident underscored the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure in the region to the escalating conflict. On March 4, 2026, the conflict extended to maritime operations when a U.S. submarine torpedoed and sank the Iranian frigate Iris Dena about 35 kilometers off the coast of Galle, Sri Lanka. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 87 sailors, with 32 rescued by the Sri Lankan military and others reported missing. This naval engagement marked a significant escalation in the scope and intensity of the military confrontation. As the conflict continued, on March 5, 2026, seven major maritime insurance clubs announced they would terminate automatic war-risk coverage for vessels entering the Persian Gulf, specific adjacent waters, or Iranian waters, effective from midnight London time. This decision, driven by heightened risks, caused war-risk premiums and tanker freight rates to surge, further disrupting global shipping and trade. On March 6, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected a resolution that sought to stop President Donald Trump's air campaign against Iran and require congressional approval for military action, with a vote of 219 to 212. This vote indicated a lack of congressional consensus on limiting the executive's authority in the ongoing military operations. Also on March 6, U.S. benchmark crude oil prices rose above $90 per barrel, hitting a two-year high, further reflecting the economic impact of the conflict. On March 7, 2026, Iran's Assembly of Experts reportedly selected a new supreme leader, just over a week after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. This development aimed to solidify Iran's leadership amidst the ongoing conflict and internal pressures. The same day, a Pakistani driver was killed in Dubai by debris from an intercepted suspected Iranian drone, marking a civilian casualty in the UAE from the regional hostilities. This leads to the current situation where President Trump has called on international allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Timeline

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