U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent call for multiple countries to form a coalition and help reopen the Strait of Hormuz has been met with negative responses and clear refusals from several nations, many of which stressed that this is not their war but that of the United States.
Trump had stated that his administration contacted seven countries, requesting that they send warships and join a coalition to reopen the strait. Iran, for its part, maintains that the strait is not closed except to those participating in aggression against it, while wartime conditions require its approval for the passage of ships from countries seeking transit.
Trump expressed hope that China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and other unnamed countries would participate in reopening the strait. However, responses from these countries followed one after another, declining his request.
The following outlines the positions of countries that responded to Trump’s call:
South Korea
South Korea indicated it does not intend to deploy its warship from the Cheonghae Unit to the Strait of Hormuz.
The South Korean defence minister stated on Tuesday that sending a warship would require parliamentary approval, signaling the difficulty of fulfilling Trump’s request for military involvement.
France
France refused to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz. Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin stated: “Our position is purely defensive, and I am clear and firm on this matter.”
She added: “At this stage, there is no question of sending any ship to the Strait of Hormuz, and there are no plans to move the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle outside the eastern Mediterranean.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also stressed that any future mission would be defensive and only after the most intense phase of the war has passed.
Japan
Japan also signaled a reserved rejection of supporting Trump’s initiative. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that her country does not intend to deploy warships to escort vessels in the Middle East.
Speaking before parliament, she emphasized that the government “has not made any decisions at all regarding sending escort ships, and we continue to study what we can do independently within the legal framework.”
Australia
Australia rejected sending military vessels to the Strait of Hormuz. Government officials stated that the navy would not be deployed to the region and that Australia had not sought to join any U.S. led naval coalition.
Minister Catherine King, in the government of Anthony Albanese, said: “Australia will not send warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.”
In remarks to Australian radio, she added: “We understand how important this is, but it is not something that has been requested of us or that we will participate in.”
China
China expressed reservations regarding Trump’s call. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated: “The recent tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters have affected international trade routes for goods and energy. We are in contact with all parties regarding the current situation and remain committed to advancing efforts to calm the situation and reduce tensions.”
He added that China has urged all parties to immediately cease fighting to prevent escalation and wider economic consequences, without directly addressing Trump’s proposal.
Germany
Germany’s response was explicit. It ruled out military participation in any effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated: “This is not our war, and we did not start it,” adding: “We want diplomatic solutions and a swift end to what is happening.”
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also stated that Germany would not take part in any international military operation to protect commercial shipping in the strait, in remarks made on Germany’s ARD television channel.
He added: “Will we soon become an active party in the conflict? No.”
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom clearly rejected involvement in the war on Iran or any forced reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated in an official statement that while the UK “takes necessary measures to defend ourselves and our allies, we cannot be drawn into a wider war.”
Luxembourg
Luxembourg’s prime minister openly rejected assisting the United States. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel stated that his country would not yield to what he described as “blackmail” from Washington.
He added: “Do not ask us to send military forces.”
Italy
Italy also explicitly rejected sending warships to a conflict zone. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini stated: “Italy is not at war with any party, and sending military ships to a war zone means entering the war.”
