US President Donald Trump's appeal to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz has been met with a lukewarm response from key allies.
Germany has ruled out participation, while Japan and Australia have indicated they are unlikely to send naval vessels.
Britain and France are assessing possible action, but have not committed to any steps before the fighting subsides.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius openly dismissed Trump's call, questioning what a limited European deployment could achieve.
Trump has now criticised US allies and other major economies for failing to back his plan to ensure safe passage through the strait.
He singled out NATO members, claiming they had relied on the US for 'tens of billions of dollars' in protection but were now unwilling to step up.
