In a Truth Social post, Trump said countries "from all over the World" have asked the U.S. for help freeing ships "which are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz" despite having "absolutely nothing to do" with the conflict.

He described the vessels as "merely neutral and innocent bystanders."

"For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States," Trump wrote, "we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out ... so that they can freely and ably get on with their business."