European Allies and Japan Announce Readiness to Help Secure Strait of Hormuz
The countries stated they are prepared to “contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait” and condemned Iran’s attacks on unarmed commercial vessels, civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the waterway by Iranian forces.
Tommy Flynn
European nations including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, along with Japan, issued a joint statement declaring their readiness to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.
The countries stated they are prepared to “contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait” and condemned Iran’s attacks on unarmed commercial vessels, civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the waterway by Iranian forces.
The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s repeated public calls for nations heavily reliant on Middle East oil to deploy warships and support U.S. operations to keep the vital shipping lane open. Roughly one-fifth of global oil trade passes through the strait, which has been disrupted since late February, driving up energy prices.
The allies expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict and urged Iran to immediately cease threats, mine-laying, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block commercial shipping while complying with UN Security Council Resolution 2817.
No specific details on naval deployments or timelines were provided in the statement. You can read the full joint statement here: Joint statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada on the Strait of Hormuz: 19 March 2026