European countries have ruled out sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz, despite threats from US President Donald Trump that NATO faces 'a very bad future' if members fail to help reopen the vital waterway. Germany, the UK, and Italy have all distanced themselves from military involvement, emphasising diplomatic solutions instead.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated: 'There was never a joint decision on whether to intervene. That is why the question of how Germany might contribute militarily does not arise. We will not do so.' Defence Minister Boris Pistorius questioned what Trump expects from 'a handful of European frigates that the mighty US navy cannot manage alone'.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would not be 'drawn into the wider war' but was working on 'a viable plan' to reopen the strait, which carried about a fifth of the world's oil until its effective closure by Iran. He did not rule out any form of action but stressed the need for broad agreement.
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said 'diplomacy needs to prevail' and cast doubt on expanding the remit of existing EU missions in the Red Sea to the strait. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted that while there was a wish to strengthen Operation Aspides, there was 'no appetite in changing the mandate'.
The rejection comes amid a wider regional conflict following US and Israeli strikes on Iran 16 days ago. Trump repeated his call for allies to help secure the strait, saying 'some are very enthusiastic and some aren't'. He expressed displeasure with the UK but expected its involvement.
Meanwhile, Iran mocked Trump's demands, with state media highlighting European refusal. Israel announced new strikes on Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz, and claimed to have destroyed a plane used by the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
