March 16, 2026
United States President Donald Trump has urged seven countries to assist with the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz by helping protect and escort ships through the waterway. The movement of oil tankers and ships through the Strait of Hormuz has been significantly disrupted amid recent regional tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States, leading to a rise in crude oil prices and concerns about a global energy crisis. Leaders of Japan and Australia have stated they have no plans to dispatch naval ships in the Middle East, while South Korea has said it would review President Trump’s request. Additionally, European Union foreign ministers plan to discuss extending the bloc’s naval mission on 16 March.