Japan decided to deploy self-defense forces to the Strait of Hormuz instead of joining the US Maritime Security Union.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) deployed by Tokyo to the Strait of Hormuz will carry out intelligence gathering in the surrounding areas, not participating in patrol activities of the Maritime Security Alliance due to America leads in the Middle East, the Asahi newspaper reported today.

The decision is in line with Japan's previous statement that it does not want to join the US coalition because it has a close economic relationship with Iran, one of the largest oil supply partners. The MSDF will operate in areas around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait between Yemen, Djibouti and Eritrea.

The US Maritime Security Alliance initiative, launched in July, calls on allies to send warships to the Middle East to patrol the Strait of Hormuz in response to a threat from Iran. The United States hopes to bring together a powerful navy from many allies in Europe and Asia to join this mission.

Britain on August 5 announced its intention to join the US-proposed maritime security alliance, but most European countries were hesitant to want to increase tensions in the region.

Traffic on the Strait of Hormuz has become a hot spot in the Gulf in the context of Washington - Tehran relations have been increasingly strained since US President Donald Trump abandoned the 2015 Nuclear Agreement and imposed sanctions. against Iran.