U.S. President Donald Trump has urged other countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, but key allies, including Japan and Australia, say they have no plans to deploy naval vessels to the region, Reuters reported.
Trump said countries that rely on energy supplies from the Persian Gulf should help protect the narrow shipping route, which carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments. His request comes as tensions in the Middle East remain high due to the ongoing conflict involving the U.S., Israel and Iran.
On Sunday, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the U.S. has already asked several governments to join a maritime effort to keep commercial ships safe.
Japan has indicated it would not send naval forces immediately. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told lawmakers that Japan has not decided whether to dispatch escort ships to the Middle East and will consider what actions are permitted under its laws and constitution.
Australia has also said it will not join the operation for now. Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said Canberra recognizes the importance of the waterway but has not been asked to send ships and is not planning to do so.
Trump has also said that other countries, including China, should help ensure the safety of maritime traffic in the Gulf. He added that he could postpone his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month if China does not respond to his request for assistance.
