By The South Asia Times

WASHINGON - President Donald Trump's urgent appeal for an international naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz has been met with silence and reluctance, as key allies hesitate to commit warships to one of the world's most dangerous waterways, according to a CNN report.

Despite Trump's claim that the US has received "some positive response" after reaching out to countries for help, he acknowledged that several nations "would rather not get involved." So far, no country has made a firm commitment to send naval assets.

The president specifically named China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom as potential partners, warning that NATO faces a "very bad" future if allies fail to assist.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said he is "demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their own territory".

Australia has explicitly ruled out participation. Transport Minister Catherine King confirmed Monday that Canberra is "not planning to send a ship," though she said she was unaware of any formal request from Washington.

Britain stopped short of any pledge, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office confirming he discussed the importance of reopening the strait with Trump but offering no military commitment.

France has previously indicated it is exploring options with European and Asian partners, but stressed any mission must occur when "circumstances permit," and fighting has subsided.

China, which Trump noted receives about 90% of its oil via the strait, called for an immediate end to hostilities rather than offering naval cooperation.

A spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington said "all parties have the responsibility to ensure stable and unimpeded energy supply" and pledged to "strengthen communication with relevant parties" for de-escalation.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry said it "takes note" of Trump's call and will "closely coordinate and carefully review" the situation with the US. Japan is expected to face a direct request when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets Trump at the White House on Thursday.

Germany, though not mentioned in Trump's call, has already distanced itself. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told ARD television: "Will we soon be an active part of this conflict? No".

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi seized on Washington's difficulty securing allies, claiming on social media that the US is "begging others, even China, to help it make Hormuz safe." He argued that America's regional security umbrella has "proven to be full of holes and inviting rather than deterring trouble".

Tehran has effectively closed the Strait to most vessels since early March, following the launch of US-Israeli attacks on Iran. The waterway normally carries about one-fifth of the world's traded oil - approximately 20 million barrels daily.

The disruption has sent shockwaves through global energy markets. Brent crude surged to about $106.12 per barrel on Sunday evening - the highest level since July 2022 - while US oil climbed to $101.53.

According to the UK's maritime agency, the strait remains under "critical" threat even though no incidents have been reported in the past three days. At least 20 vessels have been attacked around the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman since the war began.

The International Energy Agency announced Sunday that emergency oil stocks totaling nearly 412 million barrels "will soon start flowing to global markets" in what it described as "by far the largest ever" coordinated release. Asian member countries plan to release stocks immediately, while reserves from Europe and the Americas will follow from late March.

More than 2,200 people across the Middle East have now died in the conflict, according to a CNN tally. Iran bears the heaviest losses with over 1,300 dead, while at least 850 have been killed in Lebanon, with dozens more fatalities reported in neighboring countries.