Trump Demands NATO Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid European Resistance

Trump issued an ultimatum demanding NATO find a solution to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within days.

Turkey's Trade Minister told Euronews that NATO allies are not obliged to assist the United States and Israel in the war with Iran.

Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was described as absolutely disappointed over the issue.

A coalition of around 40 countries had been working on a strategy to secure the waterway once hostilities ceased.

Trump criticised allies on social media, saying none of these people understood anything unless they have pressure placed upon them.

French Minister of State for the Army stated that NATO was not formed to carry out operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Governments including the UK, Germany, Finland, Norway, France and Spain had initially said they would not deploy troops or naval forces.

Bawabat al-Dawlah al-Akhbariyah

Rutte acknowledged that some allies were a bit slow in providing logistical support.

Trump told The Telegraph he was seriously considering withdrawing the United States from the alliance.

He described NATO as a paper tiger.

The war with Iran exposed deep divisions within NATO.

Trump accused European governments of freeloading on American military power.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called NATO a one-way street.

Trump singled out the United Kingdom, saying you don’t even have a fleet.

Starmer responded by reaffirming his support for NATO.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent energy prices sharply higher.

More than forty countries called for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the strait.

euronews

French President Emmanuel Macron said any American military intervention is not realistic.

France does not support a military operation to reopen the strait.

The Rutte-Trump meeting followed a two-week ceasefire agreement.