South Korea and Japan, two of the world’s most oil-dependent economies, are scrambling to protect their energy security as the Strait of Hormuz remains blockaded by Iran and neither country has committed to joining the naval coalition that President Trump is urgently trying to build. Trump’s posts on Truth Social named both nations — along with the UK, China, and France — as countries he expected to send warships to the embattled waterway. Both governments have responded with carefully worded statements about monitoring the situation and exploring options, without making military pledges.
Iran’s blockade of the strait began in late February as a retaliatory measure following US-Israeli airstrikes. The closure has cut off roughly one-fifth of global oil exports, triggering the largest supply disruption in the history of the oil industry. Tehran has warned that tankers headed for the US, Israel, or their allies will be immediately destroyed, calling them legitimate military targets. Sixteen vessels have been struck already, and Iranian officials have threatened to lay explosive mines across the narrow waterway.
South Korea’s foreign ministry confirmed it had noted Trump’s call and said it was closely monitoring the Middle East situation, exploring various protective measures for its citizens and its energy supply routes. Japan’s top ruling party policy official said the law did not definitively rule out sending warships but described the threshold for deployment as very high, adding that any decision would require cautious judgment. Neither country moved toward an immediate military decision, reflecting both the real danger of Iranian retaliation and the absence of a clear multilateral framework within which to act.
The economic implications for both countries are severe. South Korea and Japan together depend on the Gulf for enormous quantities of their imported crude oil, and the sustained closure of the strait has pushed energy prices higher while creating significant supply uncertainty. The situation is forcing both governments to explore alternative supply arrangements and diplomatic channels while they deliberate on whether and how to contribute to any future naval protection effort. The EU’s Aspides mission has been raised as a possible platform for multilateral naval action, though Germany has expressed serious doubts about its effectiveness.
China, which shares both the oil dependency and close Iranian ties, has chosen diplomacy over military options. Beijing is reportedly in discussions with Tehran about facilitating safe tanker passage, a process that could potentially ease the crisis without military confrontation. The Chinese embassy stated Beijing’s commitment to constructive communication and regional peace. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright expressed cautious optimism that China could serve as a constructive partner in resolving the crisis, highlighting both the diplomatic and economic dimensions of the world’s most consequential current shipping emergency.