Five European countries and Japan suggested they could intervene against Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.
Leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan signed a letter on March 19, saying they are ready to intervene in the Strait of Hormuz – a critical chokepoint for global oil.
They called on Iran to stop blocking the channel.
“We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait,” they wrote. “We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaged in preparatory planning.”
Together with our allies, we condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces. pic.twitter.com/YxBDwRq1y9
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) March 19, 2026
The leaders expressed concern over freedom of navigation, and said interference with international shipping and global energy is “a threat to international peace and security.”
“The effect of Iran’s actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable,” they added. “We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security.”
The International Energy Agency agreed on March 11 to President Donald Trump’s request to release 400 million barrels of oil from the strategic reserve to ease rising oil prices around the world.
The leaders of the European countries and Japan said they “welcome” the move. “We will take other steps to stabilise energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output.”
Earlier strikes on Iranian fuel depots began raising oil prices above $100 per barrel, as The Dallas Express reported.
On March 18, Trump strongly urged American allies to intervene against Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, as DX also reported. The day prior, Trump blasted NATO for not helping America against Iran.
“The United States has been informed by most of our NATO ‘Allies’ that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation,” Trump said. “I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street — We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need.”
