US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on European allies to assist in protecting the Strait of Hormuz, warning that NATO faces a 'very bad' future if members fail to respond. The waterway has been effectively closed by Iran in retaliation for US and Israeli airstrikes, causing the largest oil supply disruption in history and soaring global prices.
Trump told the Financial Times that it is 'only appropriate' for beneficiaries of the strait to help secure it. However, calls for allies to send naval vessels have met a muted response, with Australia, France, Japan, and the UK among those stating they have no plans to deploy ships. EU foreign ministers are set to discuss bolstering a naval mission but are not expected to extend its role to the strait.
Trump also ramped up pressure on China, an Iran ally, warning he 'may delay' a summit with President Xi Jinping unless Beijing helps secure the strait. He noted that China gets 90% of its oil from the waterway. Japan has begun releasing oil reserves for the first time since 2022, while Australia and France have pushed back on naval requests. The UK is considering aerial minesweepers, and South Korea says it will review the matter.
