Major international allies have formally rejected US President Donald Trump’s March 16 request to deploy warships to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. The diplomatic rebuff occurs during the third week of the US-Israeli war on Iran, a conflict that has resulted in over 2,000 deaths, predominantly in Iran, and triggered the largest oil supply disruption in history.
Iran has effectively closed the critical maritime chokepoint using naval mines and drones. The regional conflict escalated significantly following US military strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub on March 13. In response to the Kharg Island strikes, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired approximately 700 missiles and 3,600 drones at 10 countries hosting US military forces.
Speaking at a White House event, Trump expressed frustration over the allied refusal, which included Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, Australia, and the UK. Trump stated that “the level of enthusiasm matters to me” and accused long-standing international partners of ingratitude following decades of US protection.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz impacts roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flow. Oil prices briefly spiked above $100 per barrel before easing slightly after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated the US was “fine” with permitting some Indian and Chinese vessels to transit the strait.
In Tehran, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to keep the strait closed. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran has not requested a ceasefire and is prepared to continue the conflict.
Diplomatic efforts to halt the hostilities remain stalled. Backchannel attempts through Oman to initiate ceasefire talks involving US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian officials were rebuffed by Trump, who opted to continue the military campaign to degrade Tehran’s capabilities.
The conflict has triggered broader regional warnings. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Britain issued a joint statement warning against an expanding Israeli ground operation in Lebanon, citing the potential for severe humanitarian consequences.
Iran conflict: US allies reject call to send warships to Hormuz, Trump upsethttps://t.co/gq7PVuiJUK
— ThePrintIndia (@ThePrintIndia) March 17, 2026