A day after being snubbed by most allies for a naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump said Washington does not need any assistance to protect the key oil route blocked
by Iran.
The strait has been under pressure from Iran since the start of the West Asia conflict, disrupting global oil supplies and pushing crude prices higher.
“We don’t need anybody. We’re the strongest nation in the world. We have the strongest military by far in the world,” Trump said, repeating his criticism that North Atlantic Treaty Organisation members were not helping despite the idea of collective defence.
Just two days earlier, Trump had urged countries to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, he warned allies that a negative response could lead to a “very bad future” for NATO. However, several key partners, including Germany, Spain and Italy, declined the request, saying they had no immediate plans to send naval forces.
Trump also singled out the United Kingdom, claiming it initially declined to deploy two aircraft carriers and later offered support only after the war was “essentially over”, which the US rejected.
Why did the allies refuse Trump?
Countries including France, Germany, Japan and Australia refused to send warships, citing escalation risks and a preference for diplomacy.
France’s Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said no warships would be deployed amid rising tensions. Germany said it lacked approval under its Basic Law, while Japan confirmed no maritime security operations were planned. Australia ruled out naval deployment, saying no formal request had been received.
Other European countries such as Poland, Belgium, Spain and Italy also declined, focusing instead on stability talks.
Trump questions allies’ reliability
Trump said his outreach was partly to test allies’ willingness to support the US.
“I’m almost doing it in some cases, not because we need them, but because I want to find out how they react,” he said, adding that the US has long spent heavily on securing its allies.
He also expressed disappointment with the UK, saying he was “not happy” with its response.
Iran war intensifies
The US, along with Israel, launched a military campaign against Iran on February 28, targeting key military and administrative infrastructure.
The strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials.
Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israel and also targeted US bases and interests across West Asia, expanding the conflict.
Strait Of Hormuz at centre of crisis
Amid the escalation, Iran moved to shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route through which nearly 20 per cent of the world’s supply passes, and attacked more than 15 vessels attempting to pass.
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said the strait would remain closed, while the Iranian military warned oil prices could rise to as high as USD 200 per barrel.
Trump has repeatedly said the US Navy would escort commercial vessels through the strait, but most allies have declined to join, highlighting divisions over the conflict.
