US-Iran war updates: Donald Trump tells allies to ‘get involved quickly’ in securing Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump says he will shortly reveal which countries have agreed to assist Washington in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as soaring oil prices increase pressure on global shipping routes.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Mr Trump acknowledged that several allies have been reluctant to commit forces to the mission so far.

“There are a couple, we’ll be announcing some names soon. There are some that really were right up front.”

The president also argued that major economies relying on oil shipments through the strait, including Japan, South Korea and China, should play a greater role in securing the passage.

“And they should not only be thanking us, they should be helping us. What does surprise me is that they’re not eager”, Mr Trump said.

Welcome to our live coverage of the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Here’s a quick look at the key developments you may have missed:

• US President Donald Trump has increased pressure on allies — including the United Kingdom — to help secure the Strait of Hormuz and restore the flow of global oil shipments.
• Defence Minister Richard Marles has not ruled out fuel rationing in Australia as the war in the Middle East drives pressure on petrol supply and prices.

• Meanwhile, Dubai International Airport was temporarily shut down again after an Iranian drone strike hit a nearby fuel tank, disrupting flights, including some travelling to and from Australia.

US President Donald Trump refused to say whether the United States would deploy ground forces to secure nuclear material remaining in Iran, dismissing the question from reporters during a White House press exchange.

When asked if US troops could be used to secure any remaining Iranian nuclear stockpiles, Mr Trump brushed off the query.

“Why would I tell you that?” Mr Trump responded.

“I don’t want to be mean, but they’re stupid questions. If any president answered those questions, they shouldn’t be president.”

US President Donald Trump’s proposed meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is not at risk but could be delayed as the US administration remains focused on the Iran war, the White House says.

Mr Trump is due to travel to China from March 31 to April 2 for a highly anticipated meeting between the government leaders of the world’s two biggest economies.

“I don’t think the meeting is in jeopardy, but it’s quite possible the meeting could be delayed,” spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told Fox News.

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Donald Trump says recent US and Israeli strikes have significantly weakened Iran’s ability to launch missile and drone attacks, claiming their operational capacity has been reduced by as much as 90 to 95 per cent.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference at the Kennedy Centre, Mr Trump said American forces had destroyed dozens of vessels involved in laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping corridor through which more than a fifth of the world’s oil normally passes.

“They’re pretty sophisticated ships, every one of them is gone,” he said.

“We’re hitting them very hard.”

Mr Trump also renewed calls for NATO allies, including European militaries, to deploy ships to the region to help protect oil tankers travelling through the strait from Iranian attacks.

Defence Minister Richard Marles has not ruled out fuel rationing in Australia as the war in the Middle East drives pressure on petrol supply and prices.

Over recent days, panic-buying as well as motorists stockpiling fuel has driven up demand, with some regional towns beginning to run out of diesel.

“Right now, we have taken steps to put more fuel supply into the system. Over the course of the weekend, we released 20 per cent of the stock holdings that are kept in Australia,” Mr Marles told ABC TV.

“We’ve also loosened the restrictions, or the regulations around sulphur levels, which in turn releases about 100 million litres into the system as well per month. That does make a difference right now”.

When asked whether the government might also consider rationing fuel as an additional measure, Mr Marles did not dismiss the option.

“Obviously, this is a function of how long this conflict continues, and that’s not something that I can answer in terms of what’s going to happen,” he responded.

A fuel tank fire near Dubai International Airport has been brought under control after it was ignited by a drone strike earlier on Monday, according to the Dubai Media Office.

Emergency crews extinguished the blaze after the attack forced the temporary suspension of arrivals and departures at the world’s busiest international airport.

The strike is part of a series of Iranian attacks on infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates in recent days. Elsewhere, Iranian forces also targeted the oil port of Fujairah, a critical export hub used to move crude when the Strait of Hormuz is blocked.

The attack threatens to further destabilise global energy markets, with around 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply typically passing through the strait, which has effectively been shut down during the escalating conflict.

US President Donald Trump has renewed pressure on allied nations to deploy ships to the Middle East to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, as the escalating conflict with Iran disrupts global oil shipping and pushes petrol prices higher.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Trump said he had asked about seven countries to contribute vessels to protect the key waterway, but suggested some allies had been reluctant.

“We’ll give you a list. Some are very enthusiastic, and some are less than enthusiastic, and I assume some will not do it,” Mr Trump said.

“I think we have one or two that will not do it that we’ve been protecting for about 40 years at you know, tens of billions of dollars.” Australia has already ruled out taking part, with Transport Minister Catherine King saying Canberra has not received a request and will not send warships to the region.