Tokyo, Japan. Japan and Australia said on Monday they were not planning to send navy vessels to the Middle East to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, after U.S. President Donald Trump called on allies to create a coalition to reopen the waterway. The comments came as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran entered its third week and continued to unsettle global energy markets.
Trump calls for coalition to protect key shipping route
Trump said on Sunday that nations relying heavily on oil from the Gulf have a responsibility to protect the strait, through which 20% of the world’s energy transits. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling from Florida to Washington, he said, “I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory because it is their territory,” adding, “It’s the place from which they get their energy.”
Trump said his administration had contacted seven countries, without identifying them. In a weekend social media post, he said he hoped China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and others would participate.
Markets react amid concerns over energy facilities
Markets in Asia reacted cautiously. Brent crude rose more than 1% to above $104.50, while regional share markets were mostly weaker amid concerns about risks to Middle East oil facilities and Trump’s request for allies to become more involved.
Japan cites legal constraints
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan, constrained by its war-renouncing constitution, had no plan to dispatch naval vessels to escort ships in the Middle East.
“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,” Takaichi told parliament.
Australia says it will not send naval ships
Australia said it had not been asked and would not send naval ships to assist in reopening the strait.
“We know how incredibly important that is, but that’s not something that we’ve been asked or that we’re contributing to,” Catherine King, a member of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s cabinet, said in an interview with state broadcaster ABC.
What role, if any, should your country play in efforts to safeguard shipping through the Strait of Hormuz?
