Six U.S. allies back potential Strait of Hormuz coalition

Six U.S. Western allies announced in a joint statement on Thursday their support for a potential coalition to reopen the strait of Hormuz for commercial ships and oil tankers. Reality check: The statement does not include any commitment to send naval vessels or other resources to make that happen. For now, it's largely a gesture to placate President Trump, who has railed against allies for declining to help secure the strait and warned that a failure to do so could undermine the future of NATO.

Why it matters: The strait closure has become the main crisis for the White House in the war.

As long as the Iranian blockade holds and Gulf oil remains trapped, President Trump can't end the war and declare victory even if he wants to.

Driving the news: The White House has been trying both military and diplomatic means to unlock the Hormuz crisis.

The U.S. military is conducting strikes on Iranian anti-ship positions along the shores of the Strait of Hormuz to decimate Iran's ability to attack oil tankers. Meanwhile, the White House and State Department have tried to build a coalition of countries to provide ships, other military assets and political backing for a mission to escort ships or otherwise provide a secure route for shipping in and out of the Gulf. On Tuesday Trump said most NATO members have informed the U.S. that they don't want to get involved. "WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!" he wrote on Truth Social.

Behind the scenes: The U.K. has been pushing over the last few days to get as many Western countries as possible to sign a political statement expressing support for a Strait of Hormuz coalition.

NATO Secretary General Marc Rutte has also been part of that effort, sources say. German Chancellor Merz was very skeptical of the idea and French President Emmanuel Macron opposed forming any such coalition except as part of an agreement with Iran after the war is over. With Macron opposing, many other European countries did want to move forward either, sources familiar say.

On Thursday morning, Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Macron and convinced him to lift his opposition to the political statement of support, while leaving the discussion on the practical steps for later, sources said.

Japan also joined the statement at the last minute. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will meet Trump at the White House on Thursday.

What they're saying: In the statement, the six U.S. allies condemned Iran's attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf and on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations, "and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces."

"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," they wrote. The six U.S. allies expressed readiness "to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait" and start "preparatory planning."

Yes, but: France, Germany, Italy and Japan have previously all publicly ruled out sending naval vessels to the strait during the war. It's unclear whether any of them will change that posture after signing the statement.

Trump has said the U.S. could reopen the strait with just Israel and the Gulf countries, but would remember those who failed to step up.

What to watch: The U.K. sent military officers to CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa, Florida to start working with the U.S. military on planning for a Strait of Hormuz coalition, according to a source with knowledge.

The UK navy has dispatched two war ships to the region to be ready to join a potential joint effort to reopen the strait.