Pressure from Washington on allied governments intensified after US President Donald Trump said he had demanded that about seven countries deploy naval forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime corridor carrying roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil.Trump’s remarks came as the conflict involving Iran entered a critical phase and shipping through the narrow Gulf passage faced mounting disruption. Speaking to reporters while travelling aboard Air Force One, the president said nations dependent on Middle Eastern crude should contribute warships to guarantee the safety of tankers and commercial vessels navigating the waterway.
The administration has been working on plans for a multinational naval coalition that would escort ships through the strait, an initiative expected to be formally announced within days, according to officials familiar with the discussions. The proposal reflects growing concern in global energy markets as hostilities and attacks near the shipping lane threaten a route that normally handles close to 20 per cent of international oil exports.
Trump framed the appeal as a matter of burden sharing among countries that rely heavily on Gulf energy supplies. “The countries of the world that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage,” he said, arguing that protecting the corridor should not fall solely on the United States Navy.
Officials declined to publicly identify the seven countries approached by Washington, though governments across Asia and Europe are understood to have been consulted. Diplomats in several capitals confirmed that discussions had taken place about escort operations, maritime surveillance and coordinated patrols in the Gulf region.
Despite the urgency conveyed by Washington, early responses from some partners have been cautious. Leaders in Tokyo indicated that no decision had been taken on dispatching naval vessels, citing legal constraints and constitutional limits on overseas military operations.
Authorities in Canberra also signalled reluctance to send ships, emphasising that participation in such missions requires careful assessment of risks and strategic priorities. Other governments have adopted a similar tone, saying consultations are ongoing while stressing the need to avoid escalation in an already volatile theatre.
The hesitation reflects the delicate balance many states face between safeguarding energy supplies and avoiding direct involvement in a military confrontation. Several European governments are reviewing options ranging from maritime surveillance aircraft to minesweeping capabilities rather than deploying combat vessels directly to the strait.
Strategists note that the Strait of Hormuz has long been considered one of the most sensitive chokepoints in global energy trade. The narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman funnels crude exports from major producers including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates to markets across Asia and Europe.
Any disruption to the route reverberates quickly through international energy markets. Traders reacted nervously as tensions intensified, pushing oil prices higher and prompting some countries to consider releasing strategic petroleum reserves to cushion potential supply shocks.
Military planners argue that escort missions could reduce the threat to merchant vessels by providing armed protection and real-time intelligence against missile, drone or naval attacks. Such operations have precedent in earlier Gulf crises, when multinational forces escorted tankers during periods of heightened tension.
Analysts point out that Washington has previously led maritime security initiatives in the region, including multinational patrol frameworks designed to protect commercial shipping. Those arrangements relied on cooperation among several naval powers and were coordinated from regional command centres in the Gulf.
The current proposal appears to build on similar principles but in a far more volatile environment shaped by the broader war involving Iran and its regional adversaries. Hostilities have included missile strikes, drone attacks and confrontations at sea that have placed energy infrastructure and transport routes under strain.
Security officials warn that the risk of miscalculation remains high. Iranian leaders have signalled determination to defend their strategic interests and have accused foreign powers of escalating the conflict through military operations targeting Iranian territory and infrastructure.
Shipping companies and insurers are closely monitoring the situation. Some operators have already rerouted vessels or increased insurance premiums for ships transiting the Gulf, reflecting the elevated risk profile of the route.
Energy economists note that sustained disruption in the strait could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy. Asian importers such as China, Japan and South Korea rely heavily on Gulf crude, while European markets also depend on supplies passing through the corridor.
Diplomatic channels remain active as governments weigh their next steps. Discussions among Western allies, Asian importers and Gulf states have focused on how to preserve maritime security without triggering a broader military escalation.