US President Donald Trump has urged allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints, after Iran declared the passage closed and threatened to strike ships attempting to cross it.
Trump specifically warned NATO allies they face a “very bad future” if they refuse to help secure the corridor, pressing Europe to support an American effort to reopen the route. So far, the response from allies has been cautious. Several major European governments have declined to commit forces.
In the Indo-Pacific, Japan has ruled out immediate participation, while Australia says it does not plan to send ships to the Gulf. South Korea has taken a more diplomatic line, saying discussions with Washington are ongoing.
The hesitant reaction raises a question now circulating quietly in diplomatic circles: could other Asian allies, including the Philippines, soon face similar pressure to contribute naval assets to such a
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