PHOTO: REUTERSUS President Donald Trump's demands for a coalition to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz appeared to fall on deaf ears on Monday as allies Japan and Australia said they were not planning to send navy vessels to the Middle East to escort ships through the vital waterway. Markets in Asia reacted cautiously, with Brent crude rising more than 1% above $US104.50 and regional share markets mostly weaker amid concerns about the risk to Middle East oil facilities and after Trump's request for allies to get more involved. In a weekend social media post he hoped China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and others would participate. “I think China should help too because China gets 90% of its oil from the Straits,” Trump said. DRONES CAUSE FIRE, DISRUPT TRAFFIC AT DUBAI AIRPORTThe disruption to energy markets caused by the Iran war is an "abject lesson" in the risks of relying on fossil fuels, according to the UN climate secretary.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 16, 2026 13:09 UTC