Iran Warns Nations Against Joining US-Israel Conflict After Trump Urges Escort for Tankers Through Strait of Hormuz

Tehran. Following US President Donald Trump's appeal to world powers to help escort oil tankers through the Gulf's 'Strait of Hormuz' and ensure regular fuel supply to the world market, Iran on Sunday warned several more countries against getting involved in a war with the US and Israel.

Iran's reaction came after it halted the passage of fuel-carrying ships through the waterway connecting major oil and gas exporters in the Gulf to the world market, leading to a rise in energy prices globally, in response to the US-Israel campaign.

President Trump on Saturday urged China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and other nations to send 'escort tankers' while US forces continued to strike Iranian missile launch sites on the northern coast of the 'Strait of Hormuz'.

The countries he listed have cautiously welcomed the idea so far. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi warned his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot in a phone call to 'stay away from any action that could escalate and expand the conflict'.

The UK Ministry of Defence has made no commitment. "As we have said before, we are currently discussing various options with our allies and partners to ensure the security of shipping in the region," it stated.

UK Energy Security Minister Ed Miliband told the BBC, "There must now be a plan to de-escalate the conflict. We are talking to our allies. There are various ways to make maritime transport possible."

South Korea stated it is closely monitoring President Trump's comments on social media, while Takayuki Kobayashi, policy chief of Japanese Prime Minister Sane Takaichi's ruling party, said the restriction on sending Japanese naval ships to the area under existing law is 'extremely high'.

Fuel prices have increased by 40 percent globally after Iran shut down the vital sea route and targeted the energy and shipping industries in Gulf neighbors. This attack was in retaliation for the US and Israeli air campaign that killed the Iranian Supreme Leader, sparking a regional Middle East war.

Amid market volatility, Trump stated in an interview with NBC News over the weekend that Tehran was willing to come to the table, but the US would fight to impose better terms.

He also mentioned that he could bomb Iran's oil hub, Kharg Island, again 'for fun'. Trump told NBC News, "Iran wants to make a deal, and I don't want to do it because the terms are still not good enough."

Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, expressed commitment to keeping Hormuz closed in a written statement. Iran had refuted reports that the new Supreme Leader was also killed in the US attack.

President Trump denied this, suggesting, "I don't know if he is alive or not. Nobody has been able to show him yet."

Iran stated on Saturday, "The new Supreme Leader has no problems." However, he has not yet appeared in public.

Meanwhile, after the Israeli army announced a series of targeted attacks in various parts of western Iran, Iran's Revolutionary Guards declared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a criminal and warned that they would pursue and assassinate Netanyahu.