Iran, 'Trump administration ready to announce coalition for Hormuz'. Berlin: 'We will not participate'

Iranian forces have warned that support facilities connected to the US aircraft carrier deployed in the region could become military targets. This was reported by Al Jazeera, citing the Iranian Tasnim news agency, according to which a spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command said: 'The presence of the US aircraft carrier Gerald Ford in the Red Sea is considered a threat to the Islamic Republic of Iran'. The spokesman added that "the logistics and support centres for the said fleet in the Red Sea are considered a target of the Islamic Republic of Iran's armed forces".

The Trump administration plans to announce as early as this week that several countries have agreed to form a coalition that will escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which stretches along the Iranian coast. Discussions are still ongoing, however, as to whether these operations will begin before or after the end of hostilities. The Wall Street Journal writes this. The White House declined to comment on the planned announcement, which could change depending on how the conflict develops. Many countries have been evasive about such an escort mission until the cessation of hostilities due to the risks involved.

Berlin will not participate in a possible international intervention to protect commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said this to Ard microphones. 'Will we soon become an active party in this conflict? No," emphasised the German diplomatic chief, stressing that "the government has a very clear position on this, also expressed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius". Security in the Strait of Hormuz, he added, can only be guaranteed 'through a negotiated solution' and 'by talking also with Iran'.

The Iranian Pasdaran have issued an evacuation warning to residents of specific areas of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, and Doha, in Qatar. "Due to the presence of American officers and soldiers hiding in these areas, some locations may be attacked in the coming hours," the statement read. "Despite our warnings, your leaders have given shelter to the Americans and allowed your territories to be used to attack Iran," the Pasdaran further explained.

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi had a half-hour telephone conversation with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth today, following up on their conversation of 10 March. On the situation in the Middle East, including the Strait of Hormuz, Hegseth 'provided an overview of the latest developments and future prospects', according to a note from the Japanese Defence Ministry. Koizumi, for his part, stated that 'maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East, including the Strait of Hormuz, is of crucial importance to the international community, including Japan'. On this issue, Japan will maintain a close dialogue with the countries concerned, including the United States. The Pentagon chief reiterated the US commitment to strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US Alliance, as well as to preserving peace and stability in the region. He also pointed out that 'the recent situation in the Middle East does not entail any changes to the disposition of US forces in Japan and that these forces continue to maintain a full state of operational readiness'. Finally, Koizumi reported that Japanese military forces 'are in turn ensuring careful vigilance and surveillance in the areas around Japan'.

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke in the evening and discussed the 'importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz', currently blocked by Iran. Downing Street made this known. The two leaders discussed 'the current situation in the Middle East and the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz in order to end the disruption to global maritime traffic, which is driving up costs around the world', according to a Downing Street spokeswoman. Yesterday, Trump had urged countries dependent on oil transiting through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure its safety in coordination with the US.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced that Germany will not participate for the time being in a naval mission to ensure the free passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which is de facto controlled by Iran. 'Will we participate actively in this conflict any time soon? No," Wadephul told Ard television, arguing that "the security of the Strait of Hormuz will only be guaranteed if a negotiated solution is reached."

Many of Iran's new generation missiles are still unused. This was stated by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Irgc) spokesman Ali Mohammad Naeini, according to Iran International. Naeini explained that most of the missiles currently in use in Iran are about ten years old, while many newer missiles, developed after the twelve-day war in June, have not yet been deployed. Naeini also disputed US President Donald Trump's claim that US forces had destroyed the Iranian navy: 'Doesn't Donald Trump say he destroyed the Iranian navy? If so, then, if he has the courage, let him take his ships to the Persian Gulf,' he said.

The non-governmental organisation Netblocks has found a collapse in connectivity on AS12880, one of Iran's key telecommunications networks, 'which until now had remained partly online as part of the approximately one per cent restricted state infrastructure', as it writes in a post, adding that the incident 'corroborates reports of instability on the National Information Network's national intranet', Iran's national network, which is separate but connectable to the global one and designed to function even if access to the global internet is restricted or switched off. Internet connection throughout the country is still hampered by the blackout decided by the authorities in Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that several countries have contacted Iran to obtain safe passage for their ships through the Strait of Hormuz. "I cannot name any particular country," the Tehran diplomatic chief said in an interview with Cbs News, adding that "it is up to our armed forces to decide on the matter."

''As an army we do not have the goal of regime change in Iran. We create the conditions to weaken and destabilise it so that the Iranian people can take their destiny into their own hands,'' IDF spokeswoman Effie Defrin said while answering questions from journalists at a press conference.

Israel and Lebanon are expected to start talks in the coming days. This is reported by the Israeli media citing Reuters, which reports two Israeli sources.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar called direct talks with Iran the most effective way to restart maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, in an interview published today. "I am currently engaged in talks with them and my talks have produced some results," Jaishankar told the Financial Times, adding that the talks are still ongoing. "If it is producing results for me, of course I will continue down this path."

The US attacks against Iran have so far cost Washington $12 billion. "The last number I was informed of was 12," said Kevin Hassett, the director of the US National Economic Council (the White House body that coordinates and advises the president on all economic policy) during an interview on Cbs' 'Face the Nation'. Pentagon estimates provided to Congress indicated that the war would cost $11.3 billion in its first week. Hassett did not specify the time frame for the $12 billion expenditure. Asked whether the US will have to request more funds from the US Congress, Hassett replied: 'I think we have what we need right now. Whether we will have to go back to Congress for more is something that I think Russ Vought and the Omb will look at'. The reference is to the White House Office of Management and Budget and its president.

The German government has announced that it will introduce a regulation that will prohibit petrol stations from raising prices more than once a day, while strengthening competition law in the sector to soften the impact of the war in Iran. The new regulation will allow petrol stations to implement only one price increase per day, at noon, a spokesperson explained, adding that checks on possible anti-competitive practices by oil companies will be intensified through a simplification of the rules governing the competition authority, where there are indications of inappropriately increased prices. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche had already announced that the government was considering improving the supervision of the fuel sector in order to increase price controls, after oil companies were accused of artificially inflating petrol and diesel prices. Distributors will still be allowed to reduce prices more frequently than the limit of a single midday increase. The aim is for the new rules to come into force before the first week of April.

No Italian military personnel were involved in the attacks on Unifil blue helmet patrols in southern Lebanon. This was reported by informed sources.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said there is a "very good chance" that gasoline prices could drop below $3 a gallon by summer and that the US administration is intent on bringing them down to pre-war levels in time for summer travel, although this will depend on the end of the war in Iran. Speaking on Nbc's 'Meet the Press' programme, Weight acknowledged that US motorists are 'feeling' the rise in prices at the pump and predicted that they will 'feel it for a few more weeks'. However, once the Iran war is over, "we will be moving towards a world that is more abundant in energy, more affordable in terms of energy, and less risky for American soldiers and commerce in the Middle East," Wright continued, adding that "there are no guarantees in the war" and that "it's not entirely clear yet" how long it will take for gasoline prices to fall.

According to the website GasBuddy, the average price of petrol in the US yesterday was $3.70 per gallon, up from $2.94 per gallon on 1 March, notes the Guardian. Speaking to the US broadcaster yesterday, President Donald Trump played down concerns about rising prices at the pump. 'I think they're going to come down more than before, and I had them at record lows. There's so much oil, gas... there's so much out there, but you know, it's kind of clogged. It will unclog very soon,' he said, with a reference to the Strait of Hormuz. Wright acknowledged today that the strait is not currently safe for transit, but said that making it safe is 'one of the goals at the end of this conflict'.

Further reading

Fuels, the emergency in the EU. What is happening in Germany, France and Greece

12 March 2026

UN blue helmets were targeted by gunfire 'probably from non-state armed groups'. This was reported by Unifil, the UN military interposition force in Lebanon. "Today, Unifil blue helmets were targeted by gunfire, probably from non-state armed groups, on three separate occasions while conducting patrols around their bases" in southern Lebanon, the force said, adding that "two patrols returned fire in self-defence and, after brief exchanges, resumed their planned activities. No peacekeepers were injured'.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz assured that the Iran conflict 'will not be another Iraq of 2003', assuring that all options are open. Waltz, in an interview with Fox News, added that US President Donald Trump's goal of neutralising Iran's nuclear capabilities is "a key programmatic point" reiterated in each of his three election campaigns, as well as "a promise he intends to keep for all Americans".

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said today that the US is preparing a government-backed insurance plan to help ships cross the Strait of Hormuz as the Trump administration pledges to escort oil tankers along this crucial global energy route. "I do believe we will see an insurance scheme for ships in the Strait of Hormuz," Duffy told Fox News. "And once we have more clarity on the security risk, not only the United States, but our partner countries will be involved." "When those stocks, and we have the insurance, we'll start to see the oil flow," he added.

Asked when the plan might come into effect, Duffy said the insurance component is ready, while the US military is assessing the security conditions for escort operations. "We're ready on the insurance side, everything is in place," he said, adding that the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, is assessing when naval escorts could begin. "It could be a day, it could be a week."

Alarm sirens sounded in Galilee following a rocket attack from Lebanon. The alarms were activated in Beit Jann and neighbouring communities. This was reported in the Times of Israel. Hezbollah conducted sporadic rocket and drone attacks in northern Israel today, with no reports of injuries.

Following Donald Trump's invitation to many countries, including China, to deploy warships in the Strait of Hormuz to secure the region, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington said in a note quoted by CNN that 'all parties have a responsibility to ensure a stable and smooth energy supply'. As a 'sincere friend and strategic partner of Middle Eastern countries, China will continue to intensify communication with the parties concerned - including those involved in the conflict - and play a constructive role in de-escalation and peace restoration'.

Kuwait says drones targeted the capital's airport, causing damage. The country's defence ministry says three drones targeted Kuwait's international airport, causing damage to the radar system, adding that the country's armed forces destroyed five other drones. This was reported by Al Jazeera.

"Currently in the world, many of our brothers and sisters suffer from violent conflicts, caused by the absurd pretence of solving problems and differences with war, while there is a need for unceasing dialogue for peace. Some even claim to involve the name of God in these choices of death, but God cannot be enlisted by darkness. He comes rather, always, to give light, hope and peace to humanity, and it is peace that those who invoke him must seek'. Thus Pope Leo XIV in his homily during Mass at the Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Ponte Mammolo in Rome.

He is neither dead, nor does he have six fingers. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video on his X account today showing him taking a coffee in a café to refute rumours that he was killed in an Iranian attack and those that the latest images of him were generated by the Ia, so much so that he appears to have six fingers in one hand. "I have a craving for coffee," Netanyahu tells the owner as he takes the cup. Then, extending his other hand towards the camera, the Israeli premier asks, "Do you want to count your fingers?" And the PM shows first one hand and then the other: 'Here. See, very nice, cheers."

"Like many of you, I am deeply concerned about the continuing escalation in Lebanon and the severe impact Israel's military operation is having on civilians, causing large-scale displacements. Last week I expressed the EU's solidarity with President Aoun, reaffirming our commitment to support the affected populations, including refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities. Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected'. This was written by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in her letter on migration to EU leaders ahead of the summit on 19 and 20 March. "I welcome the government's decision to ban all military activities of Hezbollah. It is urgent that all hostilities cease, including through a renewed dialogue between Israel and Lebanon," she added.

"We will ensure a consistently high level of situational awareness," von der Leyen stressed, reporting that Brussels is committed to "monitoring developments" in "close cooperation" with national governments, EU agencies, IOM and UNHCR. "The EU must be ready to support the affected countries and respond quickly to emerging needs on the ground," she notes, recalling the EU's humanitarian support to the approximately 4 million Afghans in Iran "through international non-governmental organisations and the United Nations". "Along the Iran-Turkey border, the situation remains relatively stable thanks to the strengthening of border control measures implemented by the Turkish authorities," he adds. "Since 2021, the EU has allocated more than €1.1 billion to support Turkey in the areas of migration and border management, including €305 million for the protection and voluntary return of Syrian refugees and €431 million for the strengthening of the eastern and south-eastern borders.

Donald Trump wants to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil needs pass, and for this he is also asking other interested countries for help. In recent days, and with him Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, he has promised that oil tankers and merchant ships will be escorted by warships and that naval escort operations will begin 'soon'. According to the Wall Street Journal, one option would be to use even more air firepower against missiles and drones that Iran would launch against the escort ships, another would be to send ground troops to take control of the territory around the Strait. The administration is keeping all options on the table, the US newspaper claims, recalling that Trump two days ago ordered the dispatch of Marine expeditionary units to the region. In the case of an escort operation, US warships, perhaps in cooperation with allied navies, would cross the strait flanking the tankers to clear the area of mines and repel Iranian attacks both by air and from Iran's 'mosquito fleet' of small fast attack boats. Experts estimate that two ships per tanker, or a dozen ships to escort convoys of five to ten tankers, may be needed to provide the necessary air defences. This is because the short distances make it much more difficult to shoot down missiles and drones.

 According to Bryan Clark, senior researcher at the Hudson Institute and former naval officer, in addition to the warships, at least a dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones would be needed to patrol the skies and strike Iranian missile and drone launchers as soon as they appear on the coast. 'We're talking thousands of soldiers and sailors, and quite a substantial financial investment, and we may need to keep this up for months,' Clark warned. Among other things, deploying ships to escort tankers means taking them away from offensive roles or missile defence in the broadest sense. According to Lloyd's List Intelligence, a leading maritime industry analyst firm, the delays caused by security measures and the number of warships that would be needed would reduce cross-strait tanker traffic to 10 per cent of its normal level. At that rate, it would take months to clear the backlog of over 600 international merchant ships stuck in the Gulf. Not to mention, the Wsj points out, that even with all this effort, there would remain a significant risk that Iran could strike devastating blows, damaging or even sinking warships and commercial vessels. That is why a broader military option also remains on the table, which would consist of taking control of a strip of southern Iran to ensure that military forces cannot fire on ships in the Strait. This would likely require thousands of troops and a commitment to operations that could last for months, during which time US forces would be exposed to attacks from a regime fighting for its survival.

The crisis in the Gulf and the de-facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are creating a paradox for the US energy industry: as the global oil market enters a phase of extreme instability, US oil companies could collect an extra revenue of up to USD 63 billion thanks to the jump in crude prices. The estimate, reported by the Financial Times, is based on assessments by Jefferies (a global full-service investment banking and capital markets firm) and Rystad Energy (an independent energy research and business intelligence firm based in Oslo).

The mechanism is simple: the less oil manages to get out of the Gulf, the more international prices rise. The FT reports that WTI has approached $100 a barrel, after a very strong rise since the start of the war on 28 February 2026, and that US shale groups are among the main beneficiaries because they have limited exposure to Middle Eastern assets and thus suffer less operational disruption than the global majors.