US President Donald Trump has warned NATO allies that their refusal to help secure the Strait of Hormuz would be very bad for the future of the Western military alliance, increasing pressure on Europe to support US efforts to reopen the crucial maritime corridor.
Trump said in an interview with the Financial Times that countries that benefit from oil shipments through the Persian Gulf should help protect the waterway, Politico reports.
"It is appropriate that those who benefit from the Strait of Hormuz help to make sure that nothing bad happens there. If there is no response or if it is negative, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO," Trump said.
He said members of the Western military alliance could contribute naval assets, such as minesweepers, of which Europe has far more than the U.S. Trump has in recent days mentioned China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom as countries he expects to help in the Persian Gulf.
The US and Israel launched a war against Iran in late February, which was retaliated by attacking other Middle Eastern countries, mainly US military bases there. The Iranian government also closed the Strait of Hormuz, which led to a surge in oil prices worldwide. Tehran wanted to put strong economic pressure on Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war against Iran.
