Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright.
President Trump says he's demanding that about seven countries send military ships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Vessel traffic has effectively stopped there
since the start of the war with Iran because of the threat of attacks,
and this has driven up oil and gas prices.
Speaking to reporters last night, the president said the U.S.
is talking to countries heavily reliant on Middle East oil.
And that, quote, we will remember countries that don't support the effort.
NPR's Emily Feng has more on how NATO allies and China are responding to pressure by Trump.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Trump warned of a, quote,
very bad future if NATO allies did not help open up the Strait of Hormuz,
through which nearly 20 percent of the world's oil flows.
Trump earlier called on countries who depend on the strait for help.
But Japan and Australia have already said they are not sending ships to assist.
South Korea said it was considering Trump's request.
Iran's counter-strikes on Gulf countries caused Dubai's international airport to cancel some incoming and outgoing flights on Monday.
And Turkey, one of Iran's neighbors, is trying to stay out of the conflict.
Its foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, told the Associated Press over the weekend.
But he admitted the conditions were, quote, not very much conducive right now for diplomacy.
Emily Fang, NPR News, Istanbul.