Asian Nations Jockey for Leverage to Re-Open Hormuz Strait

Countries across Asia are jockeying for leverage and adopting splintering approaches as they respond to US President Donald Trump’s call to open the Strait of Hormuz by themselves, amid mounting economic disruptions.

As the conflict enters its second month, governments from India to the Philippines are negotiating with Iran for the safe passage of vessels, while forming small circles to seek a diplomatic solution — and even bartering deals. Some US allies such as Japan are looking at a 35-country effort led by London to restore freedom of navigation to a waterway that weeks ago handled about a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade.