Reactions to Trump’s call for help to secure Strait of Hormuz

Iranian forces are continuing attacks on the vital waterway amid the US-Israeli war on Iran. Read more at straitstimes.com.

US President Donald Trump called on allies over the weekend to help secure the Strait of Hormuz as Iranian forces continue attacks on the vital waterway amid the US-Israeli war on Iran, now in its third week.

Mr Trump said his administration has already contacted seven countries, but declined to identify them. In an earlier social media post, he said that he hoped China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and others would participate.

Iran has effectively shut the strait, a narrow passage of water between Iran and Oman, choking off a fifth of global oil supply in the biggest disruption ever.

Here are how some countries have responded to Washington’s call to send ships to the region.

Japan does not currently plan to dispatch naval vessels to escort ships in the Middle East, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on March 16.

“We have not made any decisions whatsoever about dispatching escort ships. We are continuing to examine what Japan can do independently and what can be done within the legal framework,” Ms Takaichi told Parliament.