Five Nations And Japan Move To Secure Hormuz As War Spreads

Global powers are edging closer to the Iran conflict, with major European nations and Japan signalling they are ready to step in to protect one of the world’s most critical النفط chokepoints.

Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan have all pledged to “contribute” to efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as attacks on shipping threaten to choke global energy supplies.

But crucially — no one has yet said how.

Coalition Forms — But Questions Remain

In a joint statement, the countries condemned attacks on commercial vessels and backed moves to ensure safe passage through the narrow waterway.

Yet the commitment remains vague, with no clear military role, timeline or scale of involvement outlined.

The осторожность reflects growing fears: stepping in risks direct confrontation with Iran — but staying out risks economic shock.

Shipping Under Fire

Since the war began in late February, the Strait has become a danger zone.

At least 20 vessels have been attacked, including a Malta-flagged container ship struck by a projectile, forcing its crew to abandon ship.

Shipping traffic has slowed dramatically, with operators delaying routes or rerouting entirely as insurance costs surge and risks spiral.

Not Closed — But Controlled

Despite the chaos, the Strait is not fully shut.

Around 90 ships — including oil tankers — managed to pass through in early March, far below normal levels but proof the route remains partially open.

Analysts say Iran is now effectively controlling access — allowing some vessels through while putting others at risk.

Energy Lifeline Under Threat

The stakes could not be higher.

The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply, along with vast volumes of liquefied natural gas from Gulf producers.

Even limited disruption is enough to send prices surging — with markets already rattled by rising costs and tightening supply.

World Edges Closer To The Brink

With global powers now circling and Iran warning it could strike more ships, the crisis is fast becoming international.

The choice is stark: intervene and risk escalation — or hold back and watch the world’s most vital energy artery fall under threat.

Either way, the Hormuz crisis is no longer just a regional flashpoint — it’s a global one.

SOURCE

Vague assurances of assistance are not really what is needed.

IMO Israel dragged the US into this war. Netanyahu and Trump underestimated Iran's capacity to retaliate.

Neither can admit the operation is a failure, it would be political suicide.

So, push other people's chips into the pot.

Kear Starmer said, "Donald Duck is a very naughty boy. If he doesn't start acting like an infant who has lost his rattle. He must stay in the corner and not mix with the grown-ups until he begins to act like one. Don't come running to me for help when your petulance backfires. Start behaving like a grown-up.

Five Nations And Japan Move To Secure Hormuz

I could read this as military or mine sweeping support; I think this is the intention. But perhaps these five nations could perhaps address the reason why the Strait is closed rather than the results of the closure? I mean politically not militarily.

4 minutes ago, Watawattana said:

Five Nations And Japan Move To Secure Hormuz

I could read this as military or mine sweeping support; I think this is the intention. But perhaps these five nations could perhaps address the reason why the Strait is closed rather than the results of the closure? I mean politically not militarily.

In keeping with the White Stripes theme, it is now 7 nations: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada.

And according to published reports, the Strait of Hormuz is not closed. 100 vessels have cleared.

Strait of Hormuz: Which ships are passing through?

Just under 100 ships have passed thorough the Strait of Hormuz since the start of March, according to data analysed by BBC Verify.

10 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

In keeping with the White Stripes theme, it is now 7 nations: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada.

And according to published reports, the Strait of Hormuz is not closed. 100 vessels have cleared.

Strait of Hormuz: Which ships are passing through?

Just under 100 ships have passed thorough the Strait of Hormuz since the start of March, according to data analysed by BBC Verify.

Yeah, true. My use of the word 'closed' was wrong.

Good news! Japan is sending help:

Jesus H! (The H stands for Hernandéz, he picks strawberries in Watsonville.) United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada licking Trump's dingleberries for what reason?!?

Do the people of those countries support their militaries joining the US and Israel?

I wrote to Canada's Minister of Defence:

Dear Defence Minister,

Until it got bombed, I was completely unaware Canada had a base in Kuwait! I certainly think Canadian taxpayers want to know that their money is being spent on such misadventures.

We have to remain neutral in Israel's and US wars of aggression without provocation.

"Camp Canada"?!? Do they go skinny-dipping and sing campfire songs, toasting marshmallows? Because...that's what Canada is all about.

We are the peacemakers, the negotiators, the compromisers, the conciliators.

We don't need more weapons. We don't need a bigger military. And we don't need NORAD--we all know it would be over in minutes for all of us. Send those Yanqui soldiers home where they belong.

America has started wars on three countries in just the past few months, kidnapped one sovereign, elected leader--and his wife, killed another--and his family, is now invading Ecuador, wanting to invade México in forever drug wars we all know will never be won and, furthermore, the most shameful of all: bombing "drug boats" killing their crew with no attempt at rescue and no evidence of drugs seized. The USA is a monster out of control.

Is Israel our ally, with its open-secret nuclear weapons? They've razed Gaza to the ground, stolen the West Bank, will not allow Muslims to worship at their most holy site outside of Mecca, and unleashed unprovoked wars on Iran and Lebanon.

Neither the US nor Israel are our friends or even neighbours. Good fences make good neighbours.

Canada did not get involved in Vietnam and rescued both Vietnamese and American refugees from that war. Thank you, Pierre! So why do we want to get involved now? War is a losing game.

Regardless, self-determination is the right of all peoples, cultures and countries. Let them work it out. It has nothing to do with Canada. We're not the world's police and we're nobody's big brother nor our brothers' keepers.

The only military important to Canada is its Coast Guard. Seartch-and-rescue, our sovereignty in three oceans and defending the Arctic for Inuits who are a part of the fabric of our nation.

In that way, we stand on guard for thee. The other way, we become hooligans and murderers. I have great trust that you will make the right decision, out of kindness, compassion and peace.

Thank you.

CJ Hinke

Tofino, BC 

12 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Jesus H! (The H stands for Hernandéz, he picks strawberries in Watsonville.) United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada licking Trump's dingleberries for what reason?!?

Do the people of those countries support their militaries joining the US and Israel?

I wrote to Canada's Minister of Defence:

Dear Defence Minister,

Until it got bombed, I was completely unaware Canada had a base in Kuwait! I certainly think Canadian taxpayers want to know that their money is being spent on such misadventures.

We have to remain neutral in Israel's and US wars of aggression without provocation.

"Camp Canada"?!? Do they go skinny-dipping and sing campfire songs, toasting marshmallows? Because...that's what Canada is all about.

We are the peacemakers, the negotiators, the compromisers, the conciliators.

We don't need more weapons. We don't need a bigger military. And we don't need NORAD--we all know it would be over in minutes for all of us. Send those Yanqui soldiers home where they belong.

America has started wars on three countries in just the past few months, kidnapped one sovereign, elected leader--and his wife, killed another--and his family, is now invading Ecuador, wanting to invade México in forever drug wars we all know will never be won and, furthermore, the most shameful of all: bombing "drug boats" killing their crew with no attempt at rescue and no evidence of drugs seized. The USA is a monster out of control.

Is Israel our ally, with its open-secret nuclear weapons? They've razed Gaza to the ground, stolen the West Bank, will not allow Muslims to worship at their most holy site outside of Mecca, and unleashed unprovoked wars on Iran and Lebanon.

Neither the US nor Israel are our friends or even neighbours. Good fences make good neighbours.

Canada did not get involved in Vietnam and rescued both Vietnamese and American refugees from that war. Thank you, Pierre! So why do we want to get involved now? War is a losing game.

Regardless, self-determination is the right of all peoples, cultures and countries. Let them work it out. It has nothing to do with Canada. We're not the world's police and we're nobody's big brother nor our brothers' keepers.

The only military important to Canada is its Coast Guard. Seartch-and-rescue, our sovereignty in three oceans and defending the Arctic for Inuits who are a part of the fabric of our nation.

In that way, we stand on guard for thee. The other way, we become hooligans and murderers. I have great trust that you will make the right decision, out of kindness, compassion and peace.

Thank you.

CJ Hinke

Tofino, BC 

No doubt that over the last decades Canada acquiesced to the criteria imposed on NATO signatories and those whose Governments who cowered in the face of imposed economic conditions while believing the myth of benevolent advantages.

IMHO it was Bush Jnr. who initially sparked doubt and suspicion with his declaration "If you are not with us you are against us".

An astounding declaration inferring a challenge to loyalty....to what ?

Trump now has repeated the challenge in a "command" posted as an appeal to participate in an illegitimate "war" based on shifting dubious definitions of legitimate cause.

Unsurprisingly the majority of Nations have demonstrated reserve.

"Fool me once but fool me twice sumting sumting" as mumbled by wee George B is now just a fraction of the sad humor generated endlesslyby the US Administration generally.

Trump now impresses media witnesses by staying awake in public meetings. Yet to stay on topic in public addresses.

Canada should revamp offshore military bases wherever they exist into Diplomatic Sanctuaries for awakened US zitizens .

Or relocate home to assist in repelling zombies from the south.

On 3/21/2026 at 11:12 AM, Patong2021 said:

In keeping with the White Stripes theme, it is now 7 nations: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada.

Are you sure?

This is from Meloni, one of Trump's biggest supporters in Europe

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/italys-meloni-rules-out-military-mission-in-strait-of-hormuz-says-eu-favors-diplomacy/3872433

Italy's Meloni rules out military mission in Strait of Hormuz, says EU favors diplomacy

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Thursday that no country is currently considering a military mission to forcibly break the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Meloni pushed back against what she called forced interpretations of a joint statement by Italy, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Japan released by Downing Street, making clear that it did not envision the use of military force and that EU countries were not party to the conflict, favoring diplomacy and de-escalation instead.

The joint statement, which was also supported by Canada, condemned Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and civilian energy infrastructure in the Gulf.

It expressed a readiness to "contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait," which Meloni and other European leaders have interpreted as supporting maritime security through diplomacy rather than direct military involvement.

Just pay for your oil and gas in Yuan...problem solved.

Now Trump is saying that they are in negotiations whereas the Iranians are denying that implicitly and many of us find it hard to believe that Iran would even have motivation to negotiate at this point as they're holding many cards.

Trump has lost all credibility and he would lie about something like this in order to calm the markets, and create an off-ramp for himself, realizing that he's gotten in way too deep and that the doo-doo is just piling up around him.

Iran sees Trump’s comments on talks as ‘winning time’ as more US troops deploy

By Mohammed Vall

Reporting from Tehran, Iran

They were quick to respond and to deny any direct or indirect talks with the United States.

The media here – national TV and other media – are talking about Trump backing down because he was afraid of the consequences of the Iranian reaction in case the Americans strike at Iran’s power plants and so on.

So there is a rhetoric of the power of defiance in the Iranian national media and at the same time the leaders are talking about a totally different situation: No direct talks. No indirect talks. Even through mediators.

At the same time there is a lot of diplomacy going on through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

But through other departments here in the government they’re talking about no negotiations and no contact with the Americans. The Iranians, as we know, have a lot of suspicion regarding whatever comes from Washington.

So the Iranians look at what comes from Washington as just manoeuvring, as winning time, they think the Americans are accumulating their forces in the region – they are sending more troops to the region and preparing themselves for more destructive strikes against Iran.

20 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

Meloni pushed back against what she called forced interpretations of a joint statement by Italy, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Japan released by Downing Street, making clear that it did not envision the use of military force and that EU countries were not party to the conflict, favoring diplomacy and de-escalation instead.

which Meloni and other European leaders have interpreted as supporting maritime security through diplomacy rather than direct military involvement.

and yet ...

Just now, KhunLA said:

and yet ...

I'm surprised you didn't include any of your "i'm a fool" laughing emoji's, as they would be in the right place.

This topic is about the EU sending war ships to the strait of Hormuz, not about the use of US bases on their soil

1 hour ago, CallumWK said:

Are you sure?

This is from Meloni, one of Trump's biggest supporters in Europe

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/italys-meloni-rules-out-military-mission-in-strait-of-hormuz-says-eu-favors-diplomacy/3872433

Italy's Meloni rules out military mission in Strait of Hormuz, says EU favors diplomacy

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Thursday that no country is currently considering a military mission to forcibly break the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Meloni pushed back against what she called forced interpretations of a joint statement by Italy, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Japan released by Downing Street, making clear that it did not envision the use of military force and that EU countries were not party to the conflict, favoring diplomacy and de-escalation instead.

The joint statement, which was also supported by Canada, condemned Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and civilian energy infrastructure in the Gulf.

It expressed a readiness to "contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait," which Meloni and other European leaders have interpreted as supporting maritime security through diplomacy rather than direct military involvement.

What's your point? I didn't make the joint statement. The signatories did. Securitization of the Strait of Hormuz does not have to be through a direct military presence. Nor did I claim there would be a military presence. You are the one obsessing over a military presence.