WASHINGTON, 17 March. - (ANA) - Several US allies have rejected military intervention in the Strait of Hormuz, following calls by President Donald Trump to send warships to the region in a bid to keep the critical waterway open amid Iranian attacks on shipping.

 

On Monday, Trump repeated his call to nations to help reopen the shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, saying some countries were ready to assist, while others were not enthusiastic about the endeavour.

 

In a post on his Truth Social over the weekend, he said he hoped China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK and others would send ships to help protect the vital, narrow passage through which about a fifth of global oil passes.

 

The Strait of Hormuz has been largely shut off since the US-Israel war on Iran began on 28 February, and multiple vessels trying to cross it have been attacked. Tehran has warned that countries siding in the conflict with its enemies will not be allowed access.

 

Iran's ability to choke off traffic through the strait - the conduit for a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas - has emerged as a major threat to the global economy.

 

 

 

 

 

European leaders have rejected Trump’s request to send military support.

 

EU foreign ministers had met in Brussels on Monday to discuss the matter and the compounding effects it has had on global oil prices.

 

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul rejected Trump’s calls to deploy NATO forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

 

Speaking on the sidelines of the Brussels meeting, Wadephul said he did not believe NATO could become responsible for waterway, adding that if the alliance were to have any jurisdiction in the matter, its bodies would examine it through the appropriate procedures.

 

In Berlin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's spokesman said the conflict has "nothing to do with NATO".

 

"NATO is an alliance for the defence of territory" and "the mandate to deploy NATO is lacking" in the current situation, Stefan Kornelius told reporters.

 

Meanwhile German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said there would be "no military participation" from his country, but added the country was prepared to support diplomatic efforts "to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz".

 

Poland, Spain, Greece and Sweden were among the other European nations to distance themselves from any military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz in the wake of Trump's call.

 

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed that diplomacy remains the best way to address the crisis, adding that Rome is not involved in any naval mission that could be expanded to include the Middle East war.

 

 

 

 

Denmark’s foreign minister said Monday that his country should consider, with an open mind, ways it could contribute to securing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

 

Speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Lars Lokke Rasmussen said: "As the small country that we are, but a large maritime nation, we must remain open to this question.

 

"Even if we don't like ?what's going on, I think it's wise to keep an open mind on whether ‌Europe... in ?some way can contribute, but with a view towards de-escalation," he added.

 

He said Denmark had yet to receive any request from the US for help.

 

Ties between the United States and Denmark have soured in recent months as Trump insisted on taking control of Greenland, claiming it was essential to US national security.

 

 

 

 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had faced stinging criticism from Trump over his refusal to join the US and Israel in attacks on Iran, told reporters he had discussed the waterway with the US leader Sunday.

 

Starmer said London was working with allies to craft a "viable" plan to reopen the strategic waterway but ruled out a NATO mission.

 

"We're working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impacts," he said.

 

"Let me be clear: that won't be, and it's never been envisioned to be, a NATO mission," Starmer said, while also stressing the UK "will not be drawn into the wider war" and "that'll have to be an alliance of partners", regarding any Strait of Hormuz mission.

 

 

 

 

Outside the continent, Japan and Australia voiced similar sentiments earlier Monday, with Canberra saying it would not be sending a navy ship to the Strait of Hormuz.

 

"It’s clear, obviously, the longer that the war continues, the greater the impacts will be felt, not just by us, but obviously the Asia-Pacific region overall. We’ll continue to monitor those events as they occur," King told ABC Radio National.

 

"But at this stage, all of the ships that are planned, were planned to come into Australia are coming in. The fuel supply is holding."

 

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to visit Washington this week to meet with Trump where the two are expected to discuss the Middle East war.

 

South Korea’s presidential office said on Sunday that they will consult with the US on the matter and make a decision after careful review of the situation.

 

China, with close ties to Iran, said it was in contact with all parties regarding the current situation and are committed to de-escalation.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/17 March 2026  - - -