President Donald Trump has stated that the United States is prepared to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz to protect them from Iranian attack. This comes as the US is looking at ways to reduce high oil prices fueled by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. The move has been criticised by European allies for potentially aiding Russia's war with Ukraine. Iran has been attacking vessels in the strait, which is the conduit for a fifth of the world's oil. After nearly two weeks of war, over 2,000 people have been killed, mostly in Iran, and a growing number in the Gulf. Israel has also targeted Iran's air force with over 200 targets in western and central Iran. Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to keep the Strait shut and has urged neighboring countries to close US. bases on their territory.