Trump Demands NATO Support for Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran Conflict

President Donald Trump has called on NATO allies to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments that has been largely shut down following U.S. And Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. He has warned of a “very poor” future for the alliance if they do not comply, while also suggesting potential delays to a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping [1].

Strait of Hormuz Closure and Oil Prices

The Strait of Hormuz, a 100-mile-long waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, carries approximately 20% of the world’s oil shipments and 20% of the world’s seaborne liquified natural gas. Its closure has significantly impacted global oil prices, which hovered near $100 a barrel over the weekend of March 16, 2026. The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the U.S. Reached $3.718 on March 16 [3].

Trump’s Call for International Assistance

Trump has urged countries reliant on oil transported through the Strait of Hormuz to take responsibility for securing the passage, stating the U.S. Will provide “A LOT” of coordination and assistance [3]. He specifically called on nations including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and Britain to send warships to escort tankers through the strait [4].

NATO Allies’ Hesitant Response

The response from NATO allies has been largely hesitant. Several countries have expressed reservations about military involvement and prioritized diplomatic solutions.

• United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated London is working with allies on a plan to reopen the waterway but ruled out a NATO mission, emphasizing it would be an “alliance of partners” [4].
• Germany: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s spokesperson stated the conflict is unrelated to NATO’s defensive mandate and there would be no military participation from Germany, though they are prepared to support diplomatic efforts [4].
• Poland: The country’s president has already ruled out the participation of the Polish Armed Forces in any operation to reopen the strait [3].
• Spain: Defence Minister Margarita Robles stated Madrid is not considering a military contribution [3].
• Japan & Australia: Both countries have voiced similar sentiments, with Australia stating it will not be sending a navy ship [4].

Concerns and Calls for De-escalation

Several allies have expressed concerns about being drawn into a wider conflict. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated, “This is not our war, we have not started it” [4]. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called for de-escalation, while acknowledging the necessitate to explore potential contributions to ensure safe passage [4].

Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves noted it was “a bit rich” for Trump to question for help from countries he had previously insulted [4].