, March 17 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has called on several countries heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil to join a coalition to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint carrying roughly 20 percent of the world's oil. However, forming such a coalition has so far proven challenging.

Strategic importance of the strait

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is crucial for the world's energy trade. At its narrowest, it measures only 39 kilometers, and it carries the bulk of oil exports from Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, and the UAE. About 20 million barrels of oil pass through it daily, along with significant liquefied natural gas shipments....