, March 15 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said "many countries" would send warships to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open after Iran effectively blocked the vital shipping route during the ongoing war.

In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said countries "especially those affected by Iran's attempted closure" of the strait would deploy naval forces alongside the United States. He mentioned China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom as potential contributors.

The strait, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes, has remained largely closed since the conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran intensified earlier this month. Most commercial ships are avoiding the waterway due t...