Countries reject Trump call for help opening strait

Germany is among countries which have rejected demands by President Donald Trump for help to stop Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump told the FT that it would be “very bad” for the future of NATO if members did not help get the critical waterway open and that he could also delay his summit with China’s President Xi Jinping. “It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” Trump told the newspaper.

But Germany, Australia, Luxembourg, and Japan said they have no plans to send vessels to the region. German defense minister Boris Pistorius said Monday, “this is not our war, we have not started it.” The European Union and the U.K. have said they are weighing up a response to open the strait as oil prices continue to spike.

China has also not directly accepted Trump’s proposal, with its foreign ministry calling on all parties “to immediately cease military operations.” When asked what help was needed, Trump replied, “whatever it takes,” adding that allies should send minesweepers.

What to Know on Day 17:

• U.S. forces have struck more than 7,000 Iranian targets, said U.S. Central Command in an update.
• Trump said a former U.S. president privately told him he regretted not striking Iran.
• The number of U.S. troops wounded in the campaign against Iran now tops 200, said U.S. Central Command.
• Mojtaba Khamenei survived the strike killing his father by stepping outside to a garden, said a new report.
• Trump said the US has spared Kharg Island oil infrastructure—for now—with rebuilding Iran in mind.
• Iran’s president said his nation “will not submit to bullies” after a call with France’s Emmanuel Macron.
• Emirates warned passengers to avoid its primary hub, Dubai International Airport, after a drone strike.
• The IEA said it could release more emergency oil reserves if needed, noting last week’s release helped calm markets.
• The price of Brent crude oil was trading at $105 a barrel early Monday after the conflict caused the price to spike.
• Trump told reporters he was speaking to “about seven” countries about policing the Strait of Hormuz.
• Germany, Australia, and Japan are among countries rejecting Trump’s call to send vessels to the region.
• IDF said troops had begun “limited and targeted ground operations” against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
• Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain were among those to report drone attacks on Monday.
• Iran said facilities supporting the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford in the Red Sea are targets.
• Strikes on residential areas in Iran’s Markazi province killed five people on Monday, local officials said.