Trump Urges Ships to “Show Courage” and Pass Through Strait of Hormuz

President Trump says commercial ships should continue passing through the Strait of Hormuz and “show courage,” despite escalating attacks on vessels in the region. The remarks come just a day after a Thai-flagged cargo ship was struck and caught fire while attempting to transit the strait. 

Iran has warned that ships linked to the U.S., Israel, or their allies could be targeted in the waterway, one of the world’s most critical oil routes. The escalation has already damaged multiple vessels and heightened fears of a wider disruption to global energy shipments.

From the images and reports, that tanker took serious damage black smoke pouring out, fire in the engine room, crew evacuating, with at least three mariners feared trapped or missing. Iran claimed the ship ignored warnings to stay out of the strait.

Trump's line (paraphrased across sources): ships should go through, "show some guts," because "Iran has no navy left—we sunk all their ships," and the strait is supposedly in "great shape" now after US strikes took out their mine-layers and boats.

But reality on the water looks very different:

- Traffic through Hormuz is basically at a standstill (reports of zero tankers transiting some days).

- Multiple merchant vessels hit in the last few days, deaths reported among crews.

- Oil prices are through the roof, global supply chains disrupted, and the IEA/strategic reserves are being tapped hard to stop a worse meltdown.

- Even with US promises of escorts or insurance, most companies aren't risking it seafarers aren't buying the "nothing to fear" pitch when projectiles are still flying.

It's peak Trump bravado vs. the grim facts of a chokepoint that's 20% of world oil. Courage is one thing; getting lit up by drones or missiles is another. What do you make of this smart pressure tactic, reckless cheerleading, or something in between? Curious for your take, especially from an Aussie lens on energy prices spiking.