Overview
- Trump says he may scale back the Iran campaign and repeats that the United States does not need the strait, urging energy‑dependent nations to help secure the waterway.
- After the March 19 summit, Japan offered political support paired with a large economic and energy package, including small modular reactor and defense‑production cooperation, while citing constitutional limits on combat roles.
- South Korea has moved cautiously, joining a G7 statement late, facing Gallup‑measured opposition to a naval dispatch, and lacking mine‑clearing assets in its Cheonghae Unit.
- Analysts say unclear U.S. war aims and a more transactional approach have eroded allied trust, making direct military participation politically difficult in Tokyo and Seoul.
- Heavy reliance on Hormuz for more than 60 percent of crude imports and recent market volatility are pushing partners to frame contributions through investment and industrial cooperation as well as security measures.