European countries reject Trump’s call for help to reopen strait of Hormuz
European countries reject Trump’s call for help to reopen strait of Hormuz
European nations have declined to deploy military vessels to the strategic waterway, despite President Donald Trump’s warning that NATO could face a “very bad future” if members did not assist in reopening the strait. The decision comes as tensions rise over the region’s energy supply, with Iran having effectively shut down the critical passage. Germany, in particular, has stated it will not participate in any military operations, including those aimed at restoring access to the strait.
Germany’s Position
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized that “this is not our war, we have not started it,” questioning whether the U.S. navy alone could not manage the situation. He suggested that Trump’s demand for European involvement seemed excessive, given the U.S. military’s capability to secure the area. A spokesperson for Chancellor Friedrich Merz added that NATO is “an alliance for the defence of territory” and that its current mandate does not support intervention in the strait.
“What does Donald Trump expect from a handful of European frigates in the strait of Hormuz that the mighty US navy cannot manage alone? This is the question I find myself asking,” said Pistorius.
UK and EU Stances
Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted the UK would not be drawn into a broader conflict but is working on a “viable plan” to ensure stability in the oil market. He stressed that reopening the strait is “not a simple task” and would require agreement from “as many partners as possible.” Meanwhile, the European Union foreign ministers discussed options on Monday, yet remained divided over expanding their Red Sea mission to cover the strait.
“Ultimately, we have to reopen the strait of Hormuz to ensure stability in the [oil] market. That is not a simple task,” said Starmer.
Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, echoed the need for diplomacy, stating that “diplomacy needs to prevail.” His country has not committed to any naval missions in the area, citing that existing EU operations in the Red Sea are “anti-piracy and defensive” in nature. Tajani cast doubt on broadening their scope to the strait, highlighting the lack of clear justification for such an expansion.
Regional Impact
The conflict has spread across the Gulf, with oil-loading operations at the UAE’s Fujairah port temporarily halted after a drone attack ignited a fire. Fujairah, located near the Strait of Hormuz, handles about a million barrels of crude daily—roughly 1% of global demand. Civil defense teams are working to control the blaze, though no injuries have been reported. A separate incident near Dubai airport saw a fuel tank set ablaze, briefly disrupting air traffic.
Meanwhile, air raid sirens echoed in central Israel following an Iranian missile strike that was intercepted, causing debris to fall near Tel Aviv. Israeli officials confirmed that overnight strikes targeted infrastructure in Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz, claiming to have destroyed a plane previously used by late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The aircraft had facilitated travel for senior Iranian political and military figures, both domestically and internationally.
Trump’s Pressure
Trump has urged other nations to join the effort, stating that “people who are the beneficiaries of the strait” should help prevent disruptions. In an interview with the Financial Times, he warned that a lack of response could harm NATO’s future. However, countries such as Australia, France, and Japan have expressed no intention of sending warships to the region.
“It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” Trump said.
