Trump says U.S. starting clearing out Strait of Hormuz 'as a favor' to S. Korea, China, Japan, others

WASHINGTON, April 11 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday the United States is starting the process of clearing out the crucial Strait of Hormuz "as a favor" to South Korea, China, Japan and other countries that rely on the waterway for energy imports.

Trump made the remarks in a social media post, apparently referring to U.S. efforts to reopen the strait, where traffic has been severely disrupted by Iran's missile and drone attacks amid the U.S.-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic.

"We're now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others," he wrote on Truth Social.

"Incredibly, they don't have the Courage or Will to do this work themselves," he added.

He has repeatedly expressed his frustration over the fact that North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies, South Korea, Japan and others have not acceded to his request to provide assistance to help secure the strait, including sending naval warships to escort merchant vessels through the waterway.

Trump's remarks came as Washington and Tehran began the first round of negotiations, aimed at ending their war, in Islamabad on Saturday (local time), following their agreement to a two-week ceasefire deal earlier this week.

Concerns have emerged over the implementation of the ceasefire deal amid Israel's strikes on the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and Iran's restrictions on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

sshluck@yna.co.kr(END)