Are US Allies Helping With the Strait of Hormuz?

As the conflict in Iran continues, the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, leading many to ask how it will be reopened and by who.

Joint Statement: Seven US allies on Thursday signed a joint statement on the Strait of Hormuz, condemning attacks on unarmed vessels and civilian infrastructure. The United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada, expressed "readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait" and "preparatory planning" for that effort.

Reluctance To Help: "For 40 years, we're protecting you, and you don't want to get involved," President Donald Trump said on Sunday. He added that "it will be very bad for the future of NATO" if European leaders do not join US efforts to reopen the strait. The UK, Italy, France, and Germany all initially denied Trump's requests for aid, and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it's not the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) responsibility to do so. Now, the UK and NATO Secretary General Marc Rutte have started pushing Western countries to sign the statement.

Words or Action: Previously, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan ruled out sending naval vessels to the strait during the conflict; it's unclear if this stance has changed. According to Axios (Lean Left bias), the UK sent two warships for a possible joint effort to reopen the strait.

Fate of NATO Alliance: "America's partners need Persian Gulf oil more than America does," wrote Marc A. Thiessen (Right) of The Washington Post (Lean Left). But "Will they step up?" All Trump asked for "was for Europe to hold America's coat," Thiessen wrote, but "even that was too much for some allies." And now that the US is asking for help reopening the strait, "Rutte is trying to save the Atlantic Alliance from itself." The writer added that, "at Rutte's urging," seven nations have decided to sign the joint statement, and "we will see if those words turn into concrete action."

Where Are The Allies?: Mark Kimmit, an opinion writer for The Hill (Center), said US allies have "the greatest stake in the outcome." He reminded readers that "maritime coalitions are hardly new," and harkened back to the cooperative effort to deal with Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean in 2008. However, he argued that two main obstacles prevent a coalition-led effort to reopen the strait: "chronic underspending on defense budgets, which has left limited resources focused on more immediate needs," and "diplomatic reluctance for military support from the countries that possess the capabilities."

"Tiny Win": A Daily Beast (Left) article described the signing of the joint statement as a "tiny win" for Trump, but said allies are still "brutally reject[ing] his demands" and "have stopped short of agreeing to follow [him] into war."

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