March 16, 2026 | 01:09 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Australia and Japan rejected President Donald Trump's request to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, March 16, 2026.
As reported by WION, both countries cited regional security concerns and the risk of escalating tensions in West Asia as their reasons.
This decision was made amidst Trump's efforts to form a multinational naval coalition to protect one of the world's busiest oil shipping lanes, highlighting the growing rift among US allies regarding security responsibilities in the Middle East.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi affirmed on Monday that there were no plans to send naval ships to escort vessels in the Middle East. This came after US President Donald Trump called on allies to protect tanker ships passing through the Hormuz Strait.
"We have not made any decisions whatsoever about dispatching escort ships. We are continuing to examine what Japan can do independently and what can be done within the legal framework," Takaichi told parliament, as reported by CNBCTV18.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has conducted anti-piracy operations in waters near the Middle East, but these missions are more policing operations rather than combat missions against state actors.
Japan can deploy its military overseas to respond to what it perceives as existential threats to the country, but it would be politically challenging and have a high legal threshold for Takaichi's government to justify.
Takaichi will travel to Washington this week to hold discussions with Trump, which she says will address the conflict with Iran.
"I would like to engage in solid discussions based on Japan’s views and position regarding the need for early de-escalation," she told parliament members.
Meanwhile, Australia is prepared to face an "economic crisis" caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and will not send warships to the region, said Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King, who is also a member of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's cabinet, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), as quoted by Xinhua.
King stated that Australia's fuel supplies currently reach 37 days for petrol, 30 days for diesel, and 29 days for jet fuel on Monday after the government reduced the minimum storage requirements and temporarily changed fuel quality standards to allow higher sulfur content.
"We're well-prepared here in this country to weather the economic crisis that is occurring as a result of the Middle East," she said.
Read: Trump Urges Countries to Send Warships to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
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