Trump urges allies to secure Strait of Hormuz; Japan and Australia decline sending warships

US President Donald Trump has called on allied countries to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy corridor threatened by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. However, key partners including Japan and Australia said they currently have no plans to send naval ships to the region.

The demand comes as tensions in the Middle East have disrupted shipping through the strait, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes linking the Persian Gulf to global markets.

A significant share of global crude oil shipments passes through the narrow waterway, making its security critical for international energy supplies.

Trump said countries that benefit from energy shipments through the strait should contribute to safeguarding the route. Speaking to reporters, he argued that nations reliant on Middle Eastern oil should take responsibility for protecting the passage and preventing disruptions to global trade.

However, Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament that Tokyo has not made any decision to dispatch naval vessels to escort ships through the strait. She noted that the government was still examining what actions could be taken within Japan’s legal framework.

Japan faces a complex situation because its pacifist constitution places restrictions on overseas military deployments, even though the country relies heavily on oil imports from the Middle East that pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Australia also rejected the idea of deploying warships to the area. Officials in Canberra said the government has no plans to send naval vessels, though it is monitoring the evolving security situation in the Gulf and considering other forms of support.

The US has reportedly contacted several countries, including European and Asian allies, seeking support to protect commercial shipping and maintain oil flows through the strategic passage. But the response so far has been cautious, with many governments wary of escalating the conflict further.

The appeal comes amid escalating hostilities between Iran and US-Israel forces, which have already led to attacks on energy infrastructure, tanker disruptions and rising global oil prices. Analysts say the security of the Strait of Hormuz has become a central concern for governments and energy markets worldwide.