Key U.S. allies rebuffed President Donald Trump's demands to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz, leaving the critical oil shipping route disrupted amid the escalating war with Iran.

Trump urged nations including Britain, China, France, Japan, and South Korea to contribute naval forces after Iran effectively blockaded the strait, through which about one-fifth of the world's traded oil flows. In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, he claimed many countries affected by the closure "will be sending warships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe." Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday en route from Florida to Washington, Trump said he had demanded that about seven oil-dependent countries join a coalition to police the waterway, adding, "I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their own territory." He noted the U.S. relies minimally on the strait due to its energy independence, while China sources about 90 percent of its oil from it.

The conflict, now in its third week, began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 that targeted nuclear sites and oil facilities, including Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Gulf states, Israel, and U.S. positions, killing over 1,300 in Iran and dozens elsewhere. Tehran has restricted passage through the strait to non-U.S. and non-allied vessels, driving global oil prices higher and prompting the International Energy Agency to release emergency reserves.

Responses from allies were cautious or outright negative. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected deploying warships, stating the U.K. would not be "drawn into the wider war" but was exploring options like unmanned systems for mine detection. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said no military contribution was planned, while Defense Minister Boris Pistorius questioned what European frigates could achieve that the U.S. Navy could not, emphasizing, "This is not our war; we did not start it."

France maintained a defensive posture in the eastern Mediterranean and conditioned any escort mission on subsided fighting. Italy prioritized diplomacy, and the European Union's Operation Aspides in the Red Sea saw no mandate expansion. Japan and Australia confirmed no plans to send ships, while South Korea said it would review the request. China called for de-escalation without committing.

Trump warned of consequences, telling NATO allies a failure to help would mean a "very bad future" for the alliance and stating, "Whether we get support or not... We will remember." No country has publicly pledged warships, and the U.S. Navy has not begun escorting commercial vessels due to high risks.