Governments around the world are responding cautiously to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for countries to send naval ships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect commercial shipping and help restore the flow of global oil supplies.
The strait - a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman - is one of the most critical energy routes in the world. Roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through it. But the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has largely shut the route to tanker traffic, pushing up oil prices and raising fears of wider economic disruption.
Over the weekend, Trump urged several nations, including the United Kingdom, China, France, Japan and South Korea, to deploy ships to the area. Writing on his Truth Social platform, he argued that protecting the shipping lane should be a shared international responsibility.
In an interview with the Financial Times later on Sunday, Trump sharpened his message, warning that failing to safeguard the waterway could have consequences for the future of NATO.
So far, however, the response from many governments has been measured - and in some cases reluctant.
In London, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK was working with allies to find a practical way to help reopen the strait, but he made clear that any action would not be carried out under a NATO mission.
Officials say discussions are continuing behind the scenes, reflecting the delicate balance many governments are trying to strike between protecting trade routes and avoiding deeper military involvement in the conflict.
Germany has taken a firmer stance. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin would not take part in a mission to secure the strait.
“This is not our war. We did not start it,” he said, signalling that Germany does not see a military role for itself in the crisis.
In Asia, both South Korea and Japan have responded cautiously.
South Korea’s presidential office said Seoul would remain in close contact with Washington and would review the situation carefully before making any decision.
Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi went further, telling parliament that Tokyo is not currently considering launching a maritime security operation linked to the conflict.
Australia has also indicated it will stay out of the mission. Cabinet minister Catherine King told national broadcaster ABC that Canberra does not plan to deploy naval vessels to the strait.
China, one of the world’s largest energy importers and heavily reliant on Gulf oil, has not directly answered whether it would participate in a naval effort.
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington instead stressed that all parties share responsibility for ensuring energy supplies remain stable and that shipping routes remain open.
Trade between Georgia and Azerbaijan is on the rise, but business leaders say the current figures fall short of what the two neighbours could achie...
U.S. President Donald Trump warned "a whole civilisation will die tonight," in a social media post on Tuesday, as his midnight deadline f...
Afghanistan has moved to deepen health and trade cooperation with Uzbekistan, while also holding separate talks with ...
U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance began a visit to Budapest on Tuesday by praising Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who faces a closely contested p...
Kanye West has been banned from entering the UK by the British government, following a backlash over his planned headline performance at London'...
Trade between Georgia and Azerbaijan is on the rise, but business leaders say the current figures fall short of what the two neighbours could achieve together.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned "a whole civilisation will die tonight," in a social media post on Tuesday, as his midnight deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz approached. Meanwhile, reports in Iranian media said railways and power lines were hit in several provinces by the U.S.
Afghanistan has moved to deepen health and trade cooperation with Uzbekistan, while also holding separate talks with Kyrgyz and Uzbek diplomats on regional ties, transit and future joint steps.
U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance began a visit to Budapest on Tuesday by praising Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who faces a closely contested parliamentary election on Sunday.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday told reporters that Iran could be taken out in one night, "and that night might be tomorrow night," warning Tehran it had to make a deal by Tuesday night or face wider bombing raids.
The crew of Artemis II mission are entering a pivotal phase of their journey, as they prepare to swing around the Moon and head back towards Earth. Now on the fifth day of their 10-day mission, the four astronauts are already witnessing views no human has ever seen.
A new proposal to end hostilities between the United States and Iran could come into effect as soon as Monday, potentially reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz, a source familiar with the plan said on Monday.
As Hungary approaches a crucial vote, younger citizens who grew up under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán are increasingly backing the opposition, with some saying they may leave if he secures another term.
Oil prices rose sharply on Monday as fears deepened over potential supply shortages caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, unsettling global energy markets and the row over the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns for consumers and businesses alike.
South Korea is seeking alternative oil supplies from Kazakhstan as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz expose its reliance on Middle Eastern energy routes.
Trade between Georgia and Azerbaijan is on the rise, but business leaders say the current figures fall short of what the two neighbours could achieve together.
Afghanistan has moved to deepen health and trade cooperation with Uzbekistan, while also holding separate talks with Kyrgyz and Uzbek diplomats on regional ties, transit and future joint steps.
At least 10 people have died and several others were wounded after an Israeli airstrike on a neighbourhood outside a school sheltering displaced Palestinians on Monday (7 April), according to health officials.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday met U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack, Washington’s special envoy to Syria, diplomatic sources said. Earlier, Fidan spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment