The United States is asking countries to help protect the Strait of Hormuz. This important passage is used to ship oil around the world.
President Donald Trump is leading the effort to get international backing. He wants other nations to join in securing the waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow channel between Iran and Oman. It is a critical route for oil tankers moving from the Persian Gulf.
The call for support comes amid rising tensions in the region. A conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has entered its seventeenth day.
Securing the strait is seen as vital to preventing further economic disruption.