Trump Demands South Korea, 4 Other Nations Send Warships to Strait of Hormuz

Trump's Calculation: 'Countries Hurt by Oil Cutoff Should Step Up'

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded that South Korea and four other countries send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.

"I hope China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and other countries affected by Iran's attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz will send ships so the threat disappears," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

About five hours later, Trump added pressure, stating: "Countries receiving oil through the Strait of Hormuz should manage that strait. The United States will provide very significant assistance."

The move positions the five nations—not the United States—as the primary parties responsible for managing the strait.

Analysts interpret this as Washington pressuring countries dependent on Middle Eastern oil, as the U.S. faces a shortage of warships for tanker escorts and heightened operational risks.

A Blue House official said South Korean vessels are currently in the Strait of Hormuz. "This requires careful consideration, though dispatching warships would not be considered entering the war," the official said.

U.S. Pounds Iran Military's 'Lifeline'; Trump Says 'Might Strike More for Fun'

The U.S. launched airstrikes on approximately 90 military facilities on Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub. Iran responded by attacking the UAE's Fujairah Port with drones, escalating clashes over energy infrastructure.

Kharg Island serves as the center of Iran's oil exports. While the U.S. conducted precision strikes excluding energy facilities, Trump mentioned the possibility of additional attacks.

Iran raised tensions by targeting Fujairah Port, considered an alternative route bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflict has entered its 15th day, with deaths across the Middle East reportedly exceeding 3,000. The U.S. has deployed additional troops to the region, while Iran pressures countries to cooperate on strait passage. Oil bound for China continues flowing through the strait, though concerns about geopolitical risks are emerging within China.

PM Kim Proposes Nuclear Plant Among 2-3 'First Investment' Projects; U.S. Says Section 301 Not Targeting Korea Alone

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok proposed two to three projects including nuclear power plants as South Korea's first major U.S. investment initiative, receiving a positive response from Washington.

Kim met with Vice President Vance and USTR Representative Greer to convey Korea's investment intentions. The U.S. side expressed partial satisfaction, sources said.

Greer stated the Section 301 trade investigation does not specifically target South Korea and suggested Korea could actually benefit depending on the findings. On digital regulations, the U.S. reportedly expressed concerns about potential restrictions on free speech and business activities.

Kim also met with President Trump at the White House to discuss possibilities for U.S.-North Korea dialogue. Trump showed flexibility regarding timing for a meeting with Chairman Kim Jong-un.

The meeting was arranged by the White House Faith Office director, with brief mention of legal issues involving religious figures.

Experts say recognition is spreading that private equity's growth trajectory has reached its limits.

Private Credit's Self-Inflicted Crisis: Selling High-Risk Funds to Retail Investors for Growth

The private credit market, which grew rapidly after the global financial crisis as an alternative to bank lending regulations, is now faltering amid corporate bankruptcies and AI industry changes that triggered a surge in investor redemptions.

Wall Street critics point to structural problems: private equity firms excessively loosened lending standards to increase fees and oversold semi-liquid products to retail investors.

Covenant-lite loans and payment-in-kind (PIK) loans expanded significantly, increasing default risks. Borrowing by private credit funds also surged.

Following AI model launches, retail investor redemptions spiked dramatically. Major managers including Blackstone faced massive redemption requests, with some halting redemptions entirely.