Trump Demands NATO Allies Commit to Securing Strait of Hormuz Within Days

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has informed European governments that U.S. President Donald Trump demands concrete commitments within days to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.

“Trump issues 'ultimatum' to European allies on securing Strait of Hormuz: Report US president told NATO chief that European allies must commit warships or other military capabilities to the strait within days, according to Der Spiegel Ayhan Simsek 09 April 2026•Update: 09 April 2026 Almanya, Berlin US President Donald Trump has given European allies a matter of days to commit warships or other military assets to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, Der Spiegel reported on Thursday”

Anadolu Ajansı

The demand came during a closed-door meeting at the White House between Trump and Rutte.

Anadolu Ajansı

Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for not providing enough support and threatened to withdraw from the 32-member alliance.

Rutte emerged from the meeting sounding upbeat, declaring that nearly without exception, allies are doing everything the United States is asking.

Multiple European diplomats portrayed the Hormuz request as a bridge too far without preconditions.

One diplomat said, We note the frustration in Washington, but they did not consult allies either before or after starting this war.

Britain is leading a group of about 40 countries seeking to come up with a military and diplomatic plan to reopen and safeguard Hormuz.

French President Emmanuel Macron said about 15 countries were planning to facilitate the resumption of traffic.

CNBC

France's foreign minister said Hormuz would be unable to fully reopen until there was a lasting agreement between the U.S. and Iran.

Italy and Britain said Iran's position that it could impose a toll was unacceptable.

A third European diplomat told Reuters that ultimately the problem is not to please the U.S. but to have the right conditions in place.

Trump posted on Truth Social that NATO wasn't there when we needed them.

“NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has told European governments that President Donald Trump is demanding concrete commitments within days to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, diplomats said”

EUalive

Rutte acknowledged Trump’s disappointment with NATO allies during a CNN interview.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said it's quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people.

The Hormuz dispute is the latest flashpoint in a transatlantic relationship already strained by Trump’s earlier threats to seize Greenland.

Despite the fragile two-week ceasefire, oil flows through the chokepoint remained virtually paralyzed.