TLDR
- Most NATO countries have refused to join any US military operation in the Strait of Hormuz
- European leaders say the conflict with Iran is “not our war” and not a NATO matter
- Oil prices have risen above $100 a barrel due to the closure of the strait
- The EU’s existing naval mission, Aspides, has not been extended to cover the area
- Trump warned NATO faces a “very bad” future if allies don’t respond to his request
The US and Israel have been conducting military operations against Iran since February 28. The Strait of Hormuz, through which about one fifth of the world’s oil passes, has been largely shut down as a result. Oil prices have topped $100 a barrel.
Trump called on NATO allies over the weekend to send warships to help secure the waterway. Most European governments said no.
US allies in Europe and NATO have declined Trump’s demands to get involved in the Iran war to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin had no intention of joining military operations. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius was direct: “This is not our war. We have not started it.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s spokesman said the conflict has “nothing to do with NATO,” calling it “an alliance for the defence of territory.”
European Leaders Push Back
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the Strait of Hormuz mission was never planned as a NATO operation and that the UK would “not be drawn into the wider war.” He did say the UK is in talks about using its mine-hunting drones already in the region.
Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and Lithuania all expressed reservations. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said it would be “very difficult to launch a successful mission there in the short term.”
Estonia and Lithuania said allies should consider the US request but want more clarity on goals. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna asked: “What will be the plan?”
Denmark’s foreign minister said Europe should keep an “open mind” on freedom of navigation in the strait, even if it didn’t back the US-Israeli decision to go to war with Iran.
Poland said it would consider any formal NATO request carefully if one came through official channels.
Oil Markets and Crypto React
Oil above $100 a barrel has rattled energy markets. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the strait’s closure was helping fund Russia’s war on Ukraine through higher energy revenues.
The EU’s Aspides mission, set up in 2024 to protect ships from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, has not been expanded. After a Brussels meeting, Kallas said there was “no appetite” to extend it.
France suggested the Aspides mission could be expanded and said it may offer a vessel for support. Trump said French President Macron told him France was willing to help.
On Tuesday, Trump posted on Truth Social saying the US no longer needed NATO’s help, adding that “WE NEVER DID.” He said Secretary of State Marco Rubio would name the countries willing to assist.
Trump also warned in a Financial Times interview that NATO faces a “very bad” future if his proposal gets no response.
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