Middle East Tensions Escalate: Trump Seeks Global Coalition to Secure Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump is working to build a coalition of countries to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil route. Trump has warned that Nato faces a "very bad" future if US allies fail to assist in opening up the strait. Flights were temporarily suspended at Dubai's airport after a "drone-related incident" sparked a fire nearby. The incident impacted a fuel tank, but authorities had extinguished the blaze and no injuries were reported. Israel said its military remains focused on thousands of potential targets within Iran, even as Tehran issued a stern warning to neighbouring nations against further involvement in the rapidly expanding regional war. Oil prices have climbed again amid mounting supply fears after the US struck Iran's vital Kharg Island oil hub and Trump demanded allies help reopen the strait of Hormuz. US energy secretary Chris Wright said there was "a very good chance" gas prices could drop below $3 a gallon by summer, contingent on the Iran conflict's end.

The World Health Organisation has released $2 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) to support the health response in Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria amid the Middle East crisis. British prime minister Keir Starmer discussed the need to reopen the strait of Hormuz to end disruption to global shipping with Trump. Italy's military said there had been a drone attack on the Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait hosting Italian and US forces, but said all its personnel were safe. UN peacekeepers said they were fired upon "likely by non-state armed groups" in south Lebanon on Sunday, while a Hamas source said an Israeli strike killed an official from the Palestinian militant group.

A rocket attack on Baghdad international airport in Iraq, which houses a US diplomatic facility, wounded five people. US President Donald Trump has appealed to seven countries to send warships to keep the strait of Hormuz open, but his appeals have brought no commitments as oil prices soar during the Iran war. Trump declined to name the countries heavily reliant on Middle East crude that the administration is negotiating with to join a coalition to police the waterway where about one-fifth the world's traded oil normally flows. Australia and Japan have declined to send their navies to the strait.