Trump Presses Allies and China to Secure Hormuz as Japan and Australia Refuse

Overview

• President Donald Trump warned of “very bad” consequences for NATO and threatened to delay his China visit if partners do not help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, adding U.S. escorts for tankers would start very soon.
• Japan and Australia publicly declined to send warships, while Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK signaled caution or a preference for diplomacy, leaving Washington without confirmed coalition partners.
• The Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted and oil holds near $100 a barrel as the IEA implements a 400‑million‑barrel release, with stocks flowing immediately in Asia‑Oceania and from late March in the Americas and Europe; Japan has begun drawing its reserves.
• Israel said it launched a large wave of strikes on targets in Tehran and hit Hezbollah positions in southern Beirut, asserting it still has thousands of targets in Iran as Israel briefly went on alert over missiles detected from Iran.
• Dubai’s main airport temporarily halted flights after a drone-related fuel tank fire, prompting diversions and adding to regional transport disruptions, with authorities reporting no casualties.