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Global Backlash
Trump's announcement triggered immediate global backlash as key allies distanced themselves.
“UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain will not take part in the operation and stressed that London is not being drawn into a confrontation with Iran”
UK Prime Minister Starmer said Britain will not take part in the operation.
Spain's Defense Minister called the blockade something that makes no sense.
China urged restraint from all sides, calling for renewed diplomatic engagement.
German Chancellor Merz said we will continue to feel the consequences of this war for a long time to come.
Palau's President warned that soaring oil prices have placed significant pressure on the island nation's economy.
Blockade Implementation
The US military said it would begin blocking ships entering or departing Iranian ports starting at 10 a.m. Eastern.
Iran's armed forces accused the US of piracy.
Oil prices surged above $100 a barrel.
The International Maritime Organization's head said he did not expect the blockade to change the situation much.
Satellite imagery showed the USS Abraham Lincoln positioned at the eastern edge of the Gulf of Oman.
Allies' Divergence
European leaders quickly distanced themselves from Trump's blockade.
“World leaders have been reacting to Donald Trump's earlier declaration that the US Navy would start blockading the Hormuz strait”
Starmer reiterated the UK will not join the conflict.
Macron confirmed France and the UK would co-host a conference.
Germany signaled it is not participating.
The US military sent a note to seafarers warning that the blockade will apply to all vessel traffic regardless of flag.
Economic and Human Costs
Brent crude rallied as much as 8.6 percent to more than $103 a barrel.
Asian nations use more than 80 percent of the energy that usually transits the strait.
Bloomberg Economics explored scenarios ranging from continued conflict to higher-intensity fighting.
The International Committee of the Red Cross expressed deep concern about attacks on medical workers.
Pope Leo XIV said he has no fear of the Trump administration.