US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened NATO allies with “very bad things” if they fail to send warships to help open the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran continues to tightly control amid the ongoing war.
He added that, "I'm demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their territory. It’s the place from which they get their energy. And they should come and they should help us protect it.”
Trump questioned why the US should bear the burden alone, adding, "Why are we maintaining the Hormuz Strait when it’s really there for China and many other countries? Why aren’t they doing it?”
Japan and Australia stated they have no plans to deploy warships or risk personnel against Iranian drones and missiles. The UK — NATO’s second-largest military power — rejected sending vessels, warning that such a move could risk global conflict and regional chaos.
France’s Foreign Ministry emphasised a focus on regional stability rather than escalation. South Korea said it would “continue to communicate closely with the US” and decide after careful review.
Trump’s Iran campaign has already cost the US billions and triggered widespread energy uncertainty, with shortages hitting India, Japan, South Korea and other Asian nations hard over the past week.
China and Russia—Iran's closest allies—have rejected mediation on the Hormuz closure and demanded US accountability for an attack that killed 165 schoolchildren.
Iran has dismissed all ceasefire appeals and vowed to continue military operations against Israel and US bases, while openly threatening to strike regional energy infrastructure if its own facilities are targeted further.
Also read: US spends $12 bn on Iran war in just two weeks
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