A growing number of US allies are refusing to participate in military efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, despite mounting pressure from Washington.
From Europe to the Indo-Pacific, governments are showing reluctance to engage in direct military action, instead emphasizing diplomacy, legal constraints, or limited defensive contributions.
Countries decreasing their military involvement in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
France
France has ruled out any military role in securing the Strait of Hormuz and is emphasizing a diplomatic approach. In one interview with FRANCE 24 Last week, Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said Paris was “not taking part in this war.”
“At the moment there is no question of sending ships to the Strait of Hormuz,” she explained. Vautrin also wondered whether Washington and Jerusalem share the same end goals in the conflict with Iran.
However, President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that he expects support from French President Emmanuel Macron.
UK DEploys WARSHIP AND HELICOPTERS TO CYPRUS AFTER DRONE ATTACK
President Donald Trump (right) participates in the Gaza Summit chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi together with French President Emmanuel Macron in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on October 14, 2025. (Michael Kappeler/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)
“I think he’s going to help. I mean, I’ll let you know. I talked to him yesterday. I don’t bother with them because my attitude is we don’t need anybody. We’re the strongest nation in the world. We have by far the strongest military in the world. We don’t need them,” Trump said at the White House. “But it’s interesting. In some cases I almost do it, not because we need them, but because I want to know how they react.”
IRAN HOLDS ENERGY HOSTAGE WITH ‘NIGHTMARE’ STREET OF HORMUZ NAVAL MINES, FORMER CENTCOM OFFICIAL WARNS
Germany
Germany has rejected military involvement, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying the conflict is beyond NATO’s reach. “We will not participate by military means in guaranteeing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The war in the Middle East is not a matter for NATO,” he said in a post on X. “That is why Germany will not become militarily involved.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives at the White House in Washington, DC on June 5, 2025 (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Australia
Australia has refused to send ships to the strait despite US calls for support. In one interview on ABC Radio National Catherine King, minister of infrastructure, transport, regional development and local government, said on Monday: “We are not sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz. We know how incredibly important that is, but it is not something we have been asked to do or contribute to.”
She noted that Australia’s current contribution is limited to support in the United Arab Emirates, including providing aircraft to assist with defense, given the number of Australians in the country.
IRAN USES EXPLOSIVE ‘SUICIDE SKIES’ DISGUISED AS FISHING BOATS IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
Minister of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King (L) shakes hands with Governor General Sam Mostyn (R) during a swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Canberra, Australia, on May 13, 2025. (Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images)
Ireland
Ireland has ruled out taking part in an EU naval mission to reopen the strategic waterway. Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Micheál Martin told reporters ahead of his meeting with Trump: “We don’t have that offensive military capability in any form, so it’s clearly not something that’s on our agenda.” according to the Irish Examiner. “The world is in a very challenging situation and no one likes war, certainly not us as a country, and we want a specific solution.”
WHY GULF STATES ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE WAR AGAINST IRAN – DESPITE ATTACKS ON THEIR SOIL
Spain
Spain has rejected any involvement in a Hormuz mission and called for an end to the war.
Defense Minister Margarita Robles said: “We are on a defense and security mission in Cyprus and at the moment Spain is not considering any mission in Hormuz. What we are considering is the demand that the war end,” she said. Spanish newspaper La Razón.
She described the conflict as an “illegal war that causes many deaths.”
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares similarly called for an end to the “spiral of violence” and “this escalation that has no clear objectives.”
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles (L) and Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares (R) have rejected any military involvement in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. (Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu via Getty Images; Matias Chiofalo/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Countries signaling caution or limited involvement
United Kingdom
Britain has failed to take direct military action while emphasizing coordination with international partners. At a press conference on Monday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “We will not get involved in the wider war.”
He called on allies and other European countries to “put together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible.”
Keir Stamer, British Prime Minister, speaks during a press conference providing an update on the situation in the Middle East, at Downing Street in London, UK, on Thursday, March 5, 2026. (Tolga Akmen/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Japan
Japan is holding off on any deployment of naval escorts to the Middle East, citing legal restrictions. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in parliament during a meeting of the House of Lords Budget Committee: “No decision has been taken regarding the deployment of escort ships.” according to The Japan Times. “We are currently investigating what Japan can do independently and what is possible within the legal framework.”
TRUMP PRESSES NATO PARTNERS FOR SUPPORT, WHILE HEGSETH RECALLS HESITATION
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers questions during a session of the Budget Committee of the House of Councilors at Parliament in Tokyo on March 16, 2026. (Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Legally, this is very difficult,” Takaichi added. “We are carefully examining what can be done within the scope of current laws and what is the best course of action at this time. At the same time, we continue to work with Iran to help de-escalate the situation, while also exchanging information with various countries.”
