US Urges Allies to Increase Support in Strait of Hormuz

Washington - Several United States (US) allies are now beginning to participate in efforts to resolve the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, but Washington hopes for greater support, said US Ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Matthew Whitaker, on Wednesday (25/3).

“We have allies who are finally starting to move … There are key allies contributing and providing various support. We just want more,” Whitaker told Fox Business broadcaster.

He also said that the US is working intensively on diplomatic channels to persuade partners in Europe and the Middle East to get involved.

“Unfortunately, it takes effort to convince them that this issue is more important to them than to the United States,” said Whitaker.

He added that the current critical developments in the Strait of Hormuz also affect global oil prices.

On 14 March, US President Donald Trump called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and other countries to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to maintain shipping security. He warned NATO allies that the alliance faces a “very bad future” if it fails to secure the strait.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, stated that European Union countries are not yet ready to send a fleet to the region.

On 28 February, the US and Israel launched attacks on several targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran responded by attacking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East as self-defence.

The US-Israel incursion into Iran has disrupted the delivery of oil and gas supplies via the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a surge in global energy prices.