The world’s most critical energy artery has been choked, triggering the largest oil supply disruption in history and pushing Brent crude prices to a peak of $126 a barrel. At the heart of the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which approximately 20-25% of global crude oil shipments pass daily, now effectively closed following a dangerous escalation of hostilities between Iran and a US-Israeli coalition.
An Unmet Call for a Naval Coalition
The economic shockwaves have prompted US President Donald Trump to issue a direct call to America’s allies: contribute naval vessels to a multinational force to escort commercial shipping and reopen the strait. This strategy echoes a historical precedent from the Iran-Iraq War, when the US Navy escorted Kuwaiti tankers in 1987. President Trump has framed the security of the waterway as a shared responsibility for all nations reliant on Gulf oil, warning NATO allies of negative consequences should they not cooperate.
However, the response from key partners has been muted and cautious, revealing a stark gap between Washington’s expectations and the political and military realities faced by its allies.
Japan’s Constitutional Bind
One of the most definitive rejections has come from Tokyo, despite Japan’s overwhelming dependence on the region. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated on Monday that her country has no plan to dispatch naval vessels to the Middle East. This position is rooted in Japan’s post-World War II constitution, which renounces war and imposes severe constraints on the overseas deployment of military force.
The legal and political threshold for sending warships is described as “extremely high,” even though Japan sources approximately 95% of its crude oil from the Middle East, with an estimated 70% of that traversing the now-blockaded Strait of Hormuz. While the constitution does not explicitly prohibit assistance such as post-conflict mine clearance, officials confirm Japan currently has no plans to send minesweepers. Prime Minister Takaichi, a staunch Trump supporter who has expressed a desire to revise the constitution to explicitly legitimize the Self-Defense Forces, stated she is considering “all options without exclusion” to strengthen defence, but a naval deployment remains off the table for now.
Allies Explore Alternatives to Warships
The reluctance is not isolated to Japan. Australia has similarly pushed back, stating it has no plans to send ships. In Europe, French officials have emphasized their military posture is aimed at regional stability rather than escalating the conflict. EU foreign ministers are discussing bolstering a small existing naval mission in the region but are not expected to extend its mandate to the Strait of Hormuz itself.
South Korea’s response has been non-committal, with its presidential office stating it would communicate closely with the US and decide after a careful review, while its foreign ministry explores “various measures from multiple angles.”
The United Kingdom’s position illustrates the search for middle ground. UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has confirmed the government is considering options, including sending ships and mine-hunting drones, in an attempt to reopen the strait, and is in discussions with allies. However, UK officials are reportedly sceptical about committing warships, citing both the depleted state of the Royal Navy and fears of escalation. Alternatives like aerial minesweepers are under examination.
The Stakes of a Global Chokepoint
The crisis stems from joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iran in late February, which included the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Iran’s retaliatory attacks have brought the world’s attention to the 21-mile-wide Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s new supreme leader has promised to keep the maritime artery closed, even as Iranian officials maintain it remains open to most international shipping, warning that vessels linked to the US and its allies could face restrictions.
The closure has immediate and severe consequences. Alternative pipeline infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and the UAE cannot fully compensate for the lost sea-borne shipments. Rerouting tankers around the Cape of Good Hope adds thousands of miles, significant time, and cost. Beyond the economic shock, there are serious humanitarian implications for Gulf states reliant on seaborne imports for essential supplies.
Further complicating any international response are practical threats, including concerns over Iranian mine deployments in the strait. The financial sector is also feeling the strain, with private maritime insurers having suspended coverage in declared conflict zones, leaving commercial operators exposed and reluctant to transit.
As the US prepares to formally announce its multinational coalition plan, backed by the significant presence of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, the initial reactions from allies suggest building a unified naval front will be an uphill struggle. The world waits to see if diplomatic channels, including China which has been pressured by Trump due to its own heavy oil reliance and ties to Iran, can foster de-escalation, or if the standoff will further define the limits of international military cooperation in an increasingly volatile region.
