Wary allies show there’s no quick fix to Trump’s Iran crisis

Wary Allies Show There’s No Quick Fix to Trump’s Iran Crisis

Over the course of his two presidential terms, Donald Trump has consistently criticized, and at times challenged, NATO’s allies in the United States. Yet his most recent assertion—that failing to secure the Strait of Hormuz would be “very bad for the future of NATO”—hints at a broader realization about the alliance’s role, one that has sparked debate. Gen Sir Nick Carter, former head of the Defence Staff, remarked to the BBC on Monday that NATO was established as a defensive pact. “It wasn’t meant to be an alliance where one member initiates a war and others are compelled to follow,” he stated. “I’m not certain that’s the kind of NATO any of us envisioned joining.”

Trump’s remarks carry a touch of irony, given his earlier bold claims about Greenland, the sovereign territory of another NATO partner. This contradiction may explain the straightforward reactions from some nations. In Germany, a government representative declared the Iran conflict had “nothing to do with NATO.” Defence Minister Boris Pistorius questioned the feasibility of Europe’s smaller navies playing a significant role. “What does Trump expect from a few European frigates when the US navy can handle it?” he asked. “This isn’t our war. We haven’t started it.”

The situation in the Gulf has become increasingly critical, with Iran effectively sealing the Strait of Hormuz—excluding vessels transporting its own oil to allies like India and China. This has forced Western governments into a frantic search for solutions. While the crisis originated from Trump’s decision to escalate tensions, it demands rapid resolution to prevent further economic fallout. However, the lack of an immediate remedy is evident.

At a Monday press event, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer noted ongoing discussions with US, European, and Gulf partners to devise a “viable plan.” Yet he emphasized that “no decisions have been made yet.” The UK is relying on autonomous mine-hunting systems, which Starmer said are already operational in the region. With HMS Middleton, a mine countermeasures vessel, currently in Portsmouth for repairs, it’s the first time since decades that no British mine-clearing ship is deployed in the area. The Royal Navy is now preparing to deploy newly developed seaborne drones, designed to detect and eliminate mines without risking crew safety.

One obstacle Trump faces is the declining emphasis on minesweeping, once a cornerstone of naval operations. Tom Sharpe, a former Royal Navy officer, highlighted the untested nature of the latest British technology. “We’ll likely discover next weeks whether it functions as intended,” he told the BBC. Gen Carter echoed this, recalling the last major seaborne de-mining effort in 1991, following Iraq’s minefield deployment near Kuwait during the first Gulf War. “It took fifty-one days to clear those mines,” he explained. “Nations haven’t invested in this at the level they should have, particularly the Americans.”

Meanwhile, the US navy is phasing out its Avenger-class minehunters, which were built with wooden hulls to avoid magnetic mine triggers. These are being replaced by Independence-class littoral combat ships, equipped with a range of unmanned systems. But the challenge extends beyond minesweeping. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is also capable of deploying armed fast boats, naval suicide drones, and shore-based missiles to disrupt maritime traffic. Recent images from Iran’s Fars News Agency showed numerous boats and drones stored in underground tunnels, suggesting Tehran had been preparing for this scenario for some time.

Trump proposed that maintaining the Strait of Hormuz’s openness—a “very small endeavor,” as he described it—might involve striking Iran’s coastline. He sought “individuals willing to eliminate some hostile actors along the shore.” While the US has already targeted mine-laying boats stationed in Iranian ports, it’s unclear if allies would support similar actions, especially if they required ground troops. In a landscape teeming with potential threats, hesitation from partners seems both understandable and inevitable.