U.S. Alliances and NATO Politics

Six Western allies — the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands — issued a March 19 joint statement politically backing a possible coalition to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, condemning Iran’s “de facto closure” and attacks on commercial vessels and saying they are “ready to contribute” and will begin preparatory planning. The declaration, pushed by the U.K. and Dutch leaders with Japan joining at the last minute, explicitly stopped short of committing naval vessels or other forces, and several signatories have previously ruled out sending warships.