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 naval forces to the strait of Hormuz, even as Donald Trump warned that NATO could face a “very bad future” without assistance in reopening the strategic waterway. Germany, among others, has explicitly stated its refusal to participate in military operations, including those aimed at restoring access to the strait. “This is not our war, we have not initiated it,” declared defence minister Boris Pistorius. He questioned the feasibility of European involvement, noting, “What does Donald Trump expect from a handful of frigates when the US navy alone cannot manage this?”
“This is not our war, we have not started it,” said the country’s defence minister, Boris Pistorius. “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.”
A spokesperson for German chancellor Friedrich Merz added that NATO’s primary role is “defending territory,” and that this mandate was not clearly extended to the strait. Meanwhile, UK prime minister Keir Starmer emphasized the country’s focus on a “workable strategy,” stating, “Ultimately, we must secure the strait of Hormuz to maintain energy market stability. That is no simple task.” He did not exclude military measures but insisted they would require broad support.
Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, echoed the sentiment, calling for “diplomatic solutions” to address the closure. He noted that his nation was not involved in any naval initiatives that could expand to the strait, while casting doubt on extending existing EU missions in the Red Sea to Hormuz. “They are anti-piracy and defensive operations,” he explained, “so extending their scope seems uncertain.”
Regional tensions and energy repercussions
The decision by major European powers to avoid direct military action contrasts with their prior criticism of Trump’s alliance. The three nations—Germany, the UK, and Italy—had not publicly opposed Trump’s coalition with Israel in attacking Iran 16 days prior. Since then, the conflict has escalated into a broader regional crisis, pushing energy prices to unprecedented levels.
Trump, however, continued to push for international involvement, stating in an interview with the Financial Times, “It’s only appropriate that those who benefit from the strait help ensure nothing bad happens there. If there’s no response or a negative one, I think it will be very bad for NATO’s future.”
EU deliberations and Gulf incidents
European Union foreign ministers convened on Monday to discuss strategies for reopening Hormuz but remained divided on expanding their Red Sea mission. Greece, which hosts the headquarters for Operation Aspides, also stated it would not engage in military operations within the strait. Israel, meanwhile, announced that its strikes had targeted infrastructure in Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz, with reports of a plane linked to Iran’s late supreme leader being destroyed overnight.
“We want to make sure that they are as weak as possible, this regime, and that we degrade all their capabilities, all parts and all wings of their security establishment,” said Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani.
The conflict’s reach extended beyond the strait, with oil-loading operations at UAE port Fujairah halted after a drone attack sparked a fire. Located near the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah handles about one million barrels of crude daily—roughly 1% of global demand. Civil defence teams worked to control the blaze, with no injuries reported. A separate incident near Dubai airport saw a fuel tank ignite, briefly disrupting air traffic. In central Israel, air raid sirens blared after an Iranian missile strike was intercepted, leaving debris near Tel Aviv.
