US President Donald Trump, whose call for assistance from allies to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil traffic has largely been rebuffed, said Tuesday that US forces "no longer need" military help in the Iran war.
"Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance -- WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea," Trump posted on his Truth Social network, adding: "WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!"
Donald Trump said Tuesday that NATO was making a "foolish mistake" on Iran, after the military alliance's members largely rebuffed his calls to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil traffic.
"I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake," Trump told reporters as he hosted Ireland's prime minister in the Oval Office. "When they say it (Iran) was a threat, but we're not going to help, I think they're very foolish."
Earlier, Donald Trump on Monday called on US allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, but several European countries pushed back against joining a possible mission to reopen the key global shipping route disrupted amid tensions with Iran.
Trump criticised what he described as a lukewarm response from allies to his call for world powers to send warships to escort tankers through the strait, which typically carries about a fifth of global crude oil supplies.
Global oil prices have surged by 40 to 50 per cent as Iran has targeted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and carried out missile and drone strikes in the Gulf in response to the war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.
Europe cautious on military involvement
The conflict has also expanded to Lebanon, where Israeli forces have conducted strikes and initiated a “limited” ground incursion, raising concerns among Western leaders about a possible escalation.
Trump said he believed countries like United Kingdom and France would eventually participate in securing the Strait of Hormuz, though he suggested their involvement would be reluctant.
"We strongly encourage the other nations to get involved with us and get involved quickly and with great enthusiasm," Trump said at a White House event.
NATO role ruled out, more countries step back
Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said London was working with allies on a “viable” plan to reopen the strait but ruled out a NATO-led mission. Germany also stated that “this war is not a matter for NATO.”
Several other countries, including Japan, Australia, Poland, Spain, Greece and Sweden, distanced themselves from any military role in the Strait of Hormuz.
Foreign ministers from the European Union discussed the situation in Brussels but showed “no appetite” for expanding their Red Sea naval mission to include Hormuz, according to the bloc’s top diplomat.
Trump warns allies over NATO future
Trump told the Financial Times that it would be “very bad for the future of NATO” if allies refused to assist.
He also said he had asked to delay a planned summit with Xi Jinping by “a month or so” amid the ongoing tensions.
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