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 Strait of Hormuz, even as Donald Trump warned that NATO faces “a very bad future” if its members do not assist in reopening the critical waterway. While the U.S. president has pushed for a collective response, key European leaders have emphasized their reluctance to escalate the conflict further.
Germany’s stance on military involvement
Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated Germany would not participate in any military action aimed at restoring access to the strait. “There was never a unified decision to intervene,” he explained. “That is why the question of Germany’s military contribution remains unresolved. We will not act.” Despite his support for regime change in Iran, Merz argued that bombing the country into submission is unlikely to be the most effective strategy.
“This Iranian regime must come to an end,” Merz said. “But based on our past experiences, bombing it into submission is, in all likelihood, not the right approach.”
UK and EU diplomatic focus
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the UK would not be drawn into a broader regional war, though the country is developing “a viable plan” to address the crisis. “Reopening the strait is essential for oil market stability, but it is not a straightforward task,” he noted. Starmer left open the possibility of action, provided it gains broad European support.
Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, echoed the call for diplomacy. “Our focus is on strengthening dialogue,” he said. “We are not involved in naval missions that could expand to the strait, especially since current EU operations in the Red Sea are primarily defensive.” Tajani questioned the feasibility of broadening existing missions to include Hormuz, citing their anti-piracy focus.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, reported that member states showed little enthusiasm for extending Operation Aspides to the strait. “Our discussions centered on strengthening the current mission,” she said. “There was no widespread support for altering its mandate.” Greece, which hosts the operation’s headquarters, also confirmed it would not take part in any military efforts in the area.
Trump’s pressure on allies
Trump intensified his appeals to European allies during a press conference on Monday, highlighting the importance of the strait to global energy security. “Some are very enthusiastic about helping reopen the waterway, while others are not,” he said. He criticized the UK, stating he believed the country would ultimately contribute.
“It’s only appropriate that those who benefit from the strait help prevent issues there,” Trump added. “If there’s no response or a negative one, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO.”
European ministers expressed concerns over the U.S. and Israel’s war objectives. “We need clarity on their strategic goals,” said Margus Tsahkna, Estonia’s foreign minister. “What is the plan?” Meanwhile, the recent U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, launched 16 days ago, have intensified the regional conflict, driving up energy prices and complicating diplomatic efforts.
Israel claimed it had initiated a “wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure” in Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz. The nation also reported that overnight attacks had destroyed a plane used by Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at Mehrabad airport. According to Israeli officials, the aircraft served senior Iranian figures for domestic and international travel, as well as coordination with allies.
