European allies, Japan announce readiness to assist with reopening Strait of Hormuz

Five European countries and Japan announced Thursday that they are ready to assist with reopening the Strait of Hormuz amid the war with Iran.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan issued a joint statement, saying: "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.

"We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict. We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817," the nations continued.

"We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning," they added.

Since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran last month, the Islamic country has repeatedly targeted energy infrastructure across the Gulf states and has threatened shipping through the Strait of Hormuz – disrupting the global supply of oil.

President Trump earlier this week urged countries that rely heavily on Middle Eastern oil – including China, Japan, South Korea, Britain and France – to contribute naval support to protect the strait, The National News Desk reported.

"We strongly encourage other nations whose economies depend on the strait far more than ours,” Trump said. “We want them to come and help us.”

Trump also warned that NATO countries could face serious consequences if they failed to assist.