The president said he did not believe the US would “need much help” in ensuring the free transit of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz due to the peace deal with Iran.
Donald Trump made his remarks after he was asked at the G7 summit what he expected from France and other countries in relation to the strategic waterway.
Ending Iran’s stranglehold on the critical Gulf channel, which has disrupted global oil and gas supplies and driven up fuel and food prices, had been a key demand in negotiations.
The UK and France have led plans for a defensive mission to protect shipping in the channel once hostilities end, including the deployment of autonomous mine-hunting equipment.
Seated next to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, Mr Trump said: “I don’t think we’re going to need much help, because we have an agreement where it’s going to be open and it’s toll-free.
“So, I don’t think we’re going to need much help, but I don’t think it’s a bad idea to have a ship or two up here from a few countries.”
