16.3.2026
The United Kingdom, France, Japan, South Korea, Italy and NATO member countries are not willing to join in the fight against Iran.
US President Donald Trump had called on its allies and NATO partners to send in their Navy to help keep the Strait of Hormuz opened. But in statements on Monday, the countries declined their participation in the war started by Trump and his close friend Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister.
Japan does not currently plan to dispatch naval vessels to escort ships in the Middle East, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday.
“We have not made any decisions whatsoever about dispatching escort ships. We are continuing to examine what Japan can do independently and what can be done within the legal framework,” said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Australia
Australia will not send naval ships to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a government minister said on Monday.
“We won’t be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz. We know how incredibly important that is, but that’s not something that we’ve been asked or that we’re contributing to,” Catherine King, a member of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s cabinet, said in an interview with state broadcaster ABC.
“We will communicate closely with the US regarding this matter and make a decision after careful review,” South Korea’s presidential office said on Sunday.
“We are working with others to come up with a credible plan for the Strait of Hormuz to ensure that we can reopen shipping and passage through the Strait. Let me be clear, that won’t be and it’s never been envisioned to be a NATO mission,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday that Germany would not participate with its military in securing the Strait.
“What does Trump expect from a handful of European frigates that the powerful US Navy cannot do? This is not our war, we have not started it,” Pistorius said.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday that diplomacy was the right way to solve the crisis in the Strait, adding there were no naval missions Italy was involved in that could be extended to the area. With TRT reports