U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright (right) [AP=Yonhap News]

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on the 15th (local time) regarding President Donald Trump's de facto request for five countries, including South Korea, to dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz, "It is quite logical for a broad coalition of various countries around the world to cooperate to reopen the strait."

In an interview with U.S. broadcaster ABC on the same day, Secretary Wright stated, "All countries around the world depend on (energy) goods passing through the Strait of Hormuz. At the top of that list is China, followed by Japan, South Korea, and all Asian countries."

He added, "However, what is most important right now is to first complete the task of completely destroying Iran's ability to project military power in the region and around the world."

He also revealed, "All of the United States' military assets, and as President Trump mentioned, the military assets of other countries as well, will move together to reopen the strait."

He reiterated, "Our focus right now is on destroying Iran's military capabilities, and this includes military capabilities specifically used to threaten the strait. We must complete those missions first, and we will see the strait reopened in the near future."

These remarks are also interpreted as suggesting that before countries like South Korea, which import energy through the Strait of Hormuz, engage in escort operations for merchant ships in the strait, Iran's military capabilities must be neutralized first.

Regarding the rising oil prices, Secretary Wright stated, "I think this conflict will clearly end within the next few weeks. It might end sooner, but it will be over within weeks. After that, supply will recover and prices will fall."

President Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social the previous day, "Hopefully, China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and other countries affected (by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz) will send their ships here."

When asked in an interview with NBC if any countries had promised to help open the Strait of Hormuz, Secretary Wright replied, "I will not speak ahead of the President's announcement," but added, "I have spoken with some of those countries, so I know that to be true."

He continued, "The world will unite on the necessity of opening the Strait of Hormuz, and we will clearly receive support from other countries in achieving that goal."

When asked if the United States could share information with China to open the Strait of Hormuz, he said, "Opening the Strait of Hormuz is more important to China than to the United States. Tensions exist with China, but we will continue to have productive dialogue. We expect China to be a constructive partner in reopening the Strait of Hormuz."