The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 15th (local time) that the Donald Trump U.S. administration is expected to announce as early as this week that multiple countries have agreed to form a coalition to protect ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the WSJ, government officials said they are still discussing whether the ship-escort operation would begin after hostilities cease or even before that, as they conveyed the plan.
Earlier, President Trump said on his social media, Truth Social, the previous day that "many countries, especially those affected by Iran's attempt to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, will send warships to keep the strait open and safe," mentioning five countries: Korea, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France.
The countries President Trump mentioned are still avoiding definitive answers. The presidential office said, "We will communicate closely between South Korea and the United States and make a prudent review and decision," and Japan's Foreign Ministry told NHK that "Japan determines its own response, and independent judgment is the basic principle."
A Spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the United States only stated a position "urging an immediate cessation of hostilities," without giving a direct answer to President Trump's request. The United Kingdom and France also have not provided clear answers.