Europe, Japan ready to help stabilise energy prices and secure Strait of Hormuz

Doha | Riyadh: Leading nations in Europe, with Japan, said on Thursday they would act to stabilise energy markets and join "appropriate efforts" to open the Gulf's oil chokepoint after tit-for-tat strikes on energy plants dramatically escalated the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan issued a joint statement urging "an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations". "We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait," they added.

"We will take other steps to stabilise energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output."

No US troop deployment to Middle East: US President

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he is not planning to deploy additional troops to the Middle East as the Iran war approaches its fourth week.

"I'm not putting troops anywhere," Trump said when asked if he was considering sending more forces to the region. "If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you. But I'm not putting troops. We will do whatever is necessary."

Pearl Harbor jibe clouds US-Japan talks

Tensions between the US and Japan over the Iran war remained evident as Trump hosted PM Sanae Takaichi, even as he praised Tokyo for answering his call for support in the effort.

"They are really stepping up to the plate," unlike NATO allies, Trump said Thursday at the White House alongside Takaichi. "We've had tremendous support and relationship with Japan on everything."

Still, the uncomfortable circumstances were on full display when a reporter asked Trump why the US hadn't informed Japan and European allies in advance of his strike on Iran. "Who knows better about surprise than Japan?" he said, turning to Takaichi with a chuckle. "Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?"