US allies have either pushed back or remained cautious on Trump's initial request to send ships to the crucial oil route.

By Tim Kelly TOKYO, March 18 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's call for allies to send warships to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz has revived questions about how far pacifist Japan can go to support its closest ally in a conflict.

The Marine Corps unit expected to arrive in the Middle East next week could help seize one of more of the strategic islands off Iran’s southern coast to counter Iranian attacks on shipping.

The US president launched a new attack on Nato partners as Downing Street warned he is risking greater ‘danger’ in the Middle East the longer his war on Iran continues

International oil prices have continued to experience extreme volatility, surging and plummeting repeatedly due to the aftermath of the Middle East war triggered by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

With the Iran war entering a third week, Israel said it plans for at least three more weeks of war, while President Trump demanded other countries help the U.S. secure the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held telephone talks with his Iranian counterpart on March 17 and urged Tehran to immediately halt actions that threaten the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump is urging countries to help safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping lane, but no nations have publicly committed to the effort.