Over the weekend, President Trump urged NATO allies, Pacific partners, and even China to assist the U.S. in navigating the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime activity has been suspended due to threats from Iranian missiles and drones. He emphasized the need for collective effort to ensure safety in the region.
While stating that “this was always going to be a team effort,” the response was lukewarm. Some nations turned down the invitation while others postponed their decisions.
Trump expressed disappointment, noting, “There are some countries that have really disappointed me.” He remarked during a White House event that he was taken aback by their reluctance to get involved.
Just a day later, he took to Truth Social to convey further disappointment, mentioning that many NATO allies had indicated they did not wish to participate in U.S. military operations against Iran, despite sharing agreement on the importance of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
He remarked, “We’ve always felt that NATO, where we invest hundreds of billions of dollars annually, is a one-way street—protecting others without receiving help when needed.”
Trump’s critiques surfaced shortly after NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stressed the necessity of U.S. involvement for European defense, warning that without it, Europe would face steep increases in defense budgets and nuclear capabilities.
Despite this reminder, many NATO countries and U.S. allies rejected Trump’s calls for military action in the Gulf, even after he warned that NATO could face difficulties if they did not step up.
Kaja Kalas, Vice-President of the European Commission, emphasized the importance of focusing on the conflict in Ukraine, stating that the priority concerning Iran remains de-escalation and ensuring freedom of navigation.
While acknowledging the situation in the Strait, Kalas maintained, “This is not a war in Europe; it’s a regional issue.”
Concerning operations in the Red Sea, Kalas noted that current military efforts would not extend to the Strait due to a lack of interest among member states.
Furthermore, German officials made it clear that their government would not engage in the conflict, describing it as not a NATO issue but rather a diplomatic challenge requiring a swift resolution.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed that while reopening the Strait is essential for stability, it’s a complicated task, reiterating the UK’s intent to work with European allies towards a viable plan without bolstering involvement in a larger war.
Meanwhile, France’s President Macron stated that France would refrain from joining any operations in the Strait under the current conditions but expressed readiness to engage in escort responsibilities once tensions cease.
Polish and Finnish officials also aligned in their non-involvement stance, and some allies outside NATO like Australia expressed no intent to deploy ships to the region.
In the face of these rejections, Canadian officials acknowledged the Iranian blockade’s illegality but indicated that there had been no formal discussions within NATO regarding Trump’s military requests. Australia and Japan, likewise, clarified they were not preparing to send military support.
