United States proposes naval coalition to reopen Strait of Hormuz after Iranian attacks

Key facts

• Iran has struck more than a dozen ships in the 21-nautical-mile-wide Strait of Hormuz since hostilities began two weeks ago.
• US President Donald Trump publicly called on China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom to send warships to secure the strait.
• Trump later extended the invitation to all countries that receive oil through the strait and specifically asked NATO member states to join, threatening consequences for non-participation.
• UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain is 'intensively looking' at what it can do to help reopen the maritime passage.
• Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated Japan has 'not made any decisions whatsoever about dispatching escort ships'.
• France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs confirmed France will not send ships, maintaining a defensive posture.
• South Korea, which imports 70 percent of its oil from the Gulf, said it was 'closely monitoring' and exploring measures to ensure safe energy transport.
• Australia confirmed it will not send naval ships to assist in reopening the strait.
• Two Indian-flagged LPG tankers have been allowed by Iran to sail through the strait, while a Turkish-owned vessel was similarly granted passage after direct negotiations.
• Fourteen more Turkish vessels are awaiting clearance from Tehran.
• France and Italy are reportedly in talks with Iranian officials to negotiate passage for their vessels, though no official confirmation has been given.