Tokyo: Japan on Sunday announced that the criteria for deploying its warships to assist in protecting the Strait of Hormuz is "extremely high." Takayuki Kobayashi, policy chief of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, emphasized the legal and situational complexities involved in such a decision.

According to Anadolu Agency, Kobayashi stated, "I regard the threshold as extremely high" under existing Japanese laws. He clarified that while legally possible, the current conflict necessitates a cautious approach. His remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump called for international collaboration to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains "open and safe."

President Trump, via his social media platform Truth Social, urged nations like China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK to join the US in deploying warships to the strait. Despite claiming the destruction of "100% of Iran's military capability," Trump warned of Iran's potential to disrupt the waterway through drones, mines, or missiles.

The strategic Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed by Iran since early March. This action followed joint attacks by Israel and the US against Iran on February 28, which resulted in over 1,200 casualties, including the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The situation has since escalated, with Iran launching retaliatory drone and missile strikes on Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.