U.S. President Donald Trump has requested that other countries should assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade route that Iran has attempted to shut down. He listed China, France, Japan, South Korea, the U.K. and other nations as potential allies. However, these countries have so far responded less positively to the request. Japan's foreign ministry said it would not immediately dispatch naval vessels. Meanwhile, France responded to Trump's request, stating its ships would remain in a "defensive" posture in the eastern Mediterranean. British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the best way to reopen the strait is to end the conflict and end it.