The Strait of Hormuz provides the only maritime access between the Persian Gulf - along with its many oil and gas producers in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and beyond - and trade routes on the open ocean. PHOTO: REUTERS US President Donald Trump's demands for a coalition to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz appeared to fall on deaf ears on Monday as allies Japan and Australia said they were not planning to send navy vessels to the Middle East to escort ships through the vital waterway.