UK, China and Japan among countries debating whether to send ships to strait of Hormuz

"Trump called on the UK, China, France, Japan, South Korea and other countries to send ships to the waterway, the world's busiest shipping route which is being violently blockaded by Iran. In his post, Trump alleged that many countries, especially those who are affected by Iran's attempted closure of the Hormuz strait, will be sending war ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the strait open and safe."

"The effective closure of the strait of Hormuz by Tehran, in retaliation for bombing by the US and Israel, has proved catastrophic for global energy and trade flows, causing the largest oil supply disruption in history and soaring global oil prices. However, the international response to Trump's callout for the ready dispatch of warships to the strait has so far proved vague and reluctant, with countries unwilling to commit to a military response that could prove treacherous for their navies."

"Tehran has said any oil tanker heading for the US, Israel or its allies was a legitimate target in the war and would be immediately destroyed. Sixteen tankers have been attacked in the strait of Hormuz since the war started in late February and Iran has threatened to lay explosive mines in the critical waterway."

Donald Trump called on the UK, China, France, Japan, South Korea, and other nations to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz to maintain open shipping routes. Iran's blockade, conducted in retaliation for US and Israeli bombing, has caused the largest oil supply disruption in history and dramatically increased global oil prices. However, countries have responded cautiously, unwilling to commit military forces to a potentially dangerous operation. Iran has declared oil tankers bound for the US, Israel, and allies as legitimate targets and threatened to deploy explosive mines. Sixteen tankers have already been attacked since late February. The UK and other nations remain in discussions about security options but have not committed to military deployment.

Read at www.theguardian.com