US President Donald Trump has threatened NATO allies with a “very bad future” if they fail to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, following Iran's effective closure of the vital waterway. The strait, through which a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas is transported, was shut after Iran responded to US-Israeli attacks with drones, missiles, and mines.
Key US allies, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, and Japan, have ruled out sending warships to the region. At a press conference on Monday, Trump said he was “not happy with the UK” but believed it would eventually become involved. He claimed that “some are very enthusiastic about it and some aren’t”.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to announce which countries are willing to assist the United States. European ministers have called for clarity on US and Israeli war aims. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that allies need to understand Trump’s “strategic goals” and “what will be the plan”.
The standoff highlights growing tensions between the US and its allies over the Iran conflict, with European nations reluctant to commit without a clearer strategy from Washington.
