According to the US Energy Information Administration, around 20 percent of the world’s oil consumption passes through the strait every day, along with a significant portion of global liquefied natural gas exports.
As the risk of disruption has grown during the current confrontation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, Washington has urged allies and major maritime powers to contribute to efforts aimed at safeguarding shipping lanes and keeping the strait open. American officials argue that the security of Hormuz is not only a regional matter but a global responsibility, given the enormous economic consequences that could follow if tanker traffic were interrupted.
The responses from major global actors, however, reveal a more cautious international landscape. While most governments agree on the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation, many have been reluctant to join a formal US-led military coalition, preferring instead diplomatic support, limited maritime monitoring, or independent naval deployments focused on protecting their own commercial shipping.
China
China has reacted cautiously to Washington’s call for assistance. Beijing strongly supports keeping the Strait of Hormuz open because of its heavy dependence on imported oil from the Gulf.
Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates rank among China’s most important energy suppliers, and a large share of those shipments travels through Hormuz before reaching Chinese ports.
Despite this dependence, China has avoided joining Western maritime coalitions in the region. Chinese officials have instead emphasized diplomatic restraint and dialogue, warning that military escalation could destabilize global markets and threaten economic growth.
Beijing’s position reflects its broader strategy of balancing relations with both Gulf Arab states and Iran while presenting itself as a defender of stability in global trade routes.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, was asked on Monday about remarks by Donald Trump suggesting he could delay a planned visit to China later this month if Beijing does not help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
“Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable, strategic guiding role in China-US relations,” Jian said.
According to the BBC, the spokesperson added that Beijing and Washington had “maintained communication” about Trump’s visit, scheduled for 31 March to 2 April.
Asked about Trump’s call for countries including China, the United Kingdom, and France to send warships to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open, Jian said the recent tensions had disrupted trade routes and undermined peace.
“China reiterates its call for all parties to immediately cease military operations,” he said, stressing that Beijing was “committed to promoting de-escalation.”
European countries
Within Europe, governments broadly agree on the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, but they differ on how closely to cooperate with Washington’s security initiatives.
France has played a leading role in European maritime monitoring efforts in the Gulf and has supported initiatives aimed at protecting commercial shipping from attacks.
Denmark and the Netherlands have also contributed to European naval monitoring missions in the region designed to reduce risks to tanker traffic.
Other European governments have taken a more cautious stance. Germany has emphasized diplomatic solutions and has been reluctant to become directly involved in military operations that could escalate tensions with Iran.
Spain and Italy similarly stressed the importance of international legal frameworks and de-escalation, often referring to protections for maritime transit under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
India
India has responded with strategic caution. India imports more than 80 percent of its crude oil, much of it from Gulf producers, making the Strait of Hormuz a vital route for its energy supplies.
Despite this dependence, New Delhi has avoided joining multinational naval coalitions led by outside powers. Instead, India occasionally deploys naval vessels to escort Indian-flagged tankers and protect national shipping interests during periods of heightened tension.
Indian officials consistently emphasize the importance of maintaining open sea lanes while urging diplomatic solutions to regional disputes.
Japan
Japan faces one of the highest levels of exposure to disruptions in the strait. Nearly all of Japan’s oil imports originate in the Middle East, and most of these shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Tokyo strongly supports international efforts to maintain maritime security but prefers a limited operational role. Japan has deployed maritime forces in nearby waters primarily for intelligence gathering and the protection of Japanese commercial vessels.
This approach allows Japan to contribute to shipping security while avoiding direct involvement in military escalation.
South Korea
South Korea has also expressed concern about the safety of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Like Japan, South Korea relies heavily on imported energy from the Gulf.
Seoul has occasionally expanded the mission of its naval units operating in the region to monitor shipping routes and protect Korean vessels.
However, the government generally frames these deployments as independent security measures rather than participation in a broader military coalition.
Canada
Canada has expressed diplomatic support for international efforts aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the Gulf.
Canadian officials have historically supported multinational maritime security initiatives and emphasized the importance of maintaining open global energy corridors.
At the same time, Ottawa has stressed that any security effort in the region should operate within international legal frameworks and avoid steps that could widen the conflict.
Russia
Russia has taken a markedly different position. Moscow has criticized proposals for expanded Western naval coalitions in the Gulf, arguing that increased military deployments could intensify tensions rather than stabilize the region.
Russian officials have instead called for a regional security arrangement involving Gulf states and Iran. Moscow’s position reflects both its broader geopolitical alignment with Tehran and its opposition to expanded Western military presence near strategic maritime chokepoints.
Across these responses, a consistent pattern emerges. Major powers share a common interest in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, but they differ sharply on the means of achieving that goal.
For many governments, the priority is clear: protect global trade routes while avoiding a wider war in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
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