Several U.S. allies rebuffed Donald Trump’s call to send warships to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. Hence, the U.S. president accused Western partners of ingratitude after decades of support.
Strait of Hormuz Disruption Intensifies
As the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran progresses to its third week with no end in sight, the critical Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flow, remains largely closed off. This closure has led to rising energy prices and fears of inflation worldwide.
The conflict has already imposed economic costs on U.S. allies, who were not consulted before the airstrikes on Iran.
Allies Decline Naval Deployment
Refusing Trump’s plea, a number of U.S. partners, including Germany, Spain and Italy, said they had no immediate plans to send ships to help reopen the strategic waterway, which Iran has effectively shut with drones and naval mines.
“We lack the mandate from the United Nations, the European Union or NATO required under the Basic Law,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in Berlin. He added that Washington and Israel had not consulted Germany before launching the war.
