IRIA News

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The United Kingdom and several European allies have pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for military support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the escalating confrontation with Iran should not draw NATO into a wider war.

The dispute has exposed growing differences between Washington and several of its allies over how to respond to Iran’s disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil.

Trump has urged countries that rely on energy shipments passing through the strait to help secure the vital maritime corridor. He called on Britain and other partners to deploy naval forces to escort tankers and protect global energy supplies after Iran responded to U.S.-Israeli strikes by using drones, missiles, and naval mines that effectively halted commercial shipping.

The U.S. president said Washington had approached several nations about forming a maritime coalition and warned that failure to support the effort could have “a very bad future” for NATO.

European leaders, however, signaled strong reluctance to become directly involved in military operations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ruled out German participation in any naval operation, saying there had been no joint decision to intervene. German defense minister said the conflict was “not our war” and questioned what a handful of European frigates could achieve in a waterway already dominated by the U.S. Navy.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pushed back against pressure from President Trump to send military support to the Strait of Hormuz, making clear that UK would not be “drawn into a wider war” with Iran. While acknowledging the importance of reopening the strait to stabilize global energy markets, Starmer said any action would have to be coordinated with a broad group of international partners. The British government has so far resisted U.S. pressure to deploy warships for tanker escort missions.

Several other allies, including France, Japan, Australia, Spain and Italy, indicated they have no immediate plans to send naval forces to the Gulf.

Instead, European officials have emphasized diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and restore maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting broader concerns that direct military involvement could further escalate the conflict and destabilize global energy markets.

UK will not be dragged into wider war on Iran: Starmer tells Trump

Starmer spoke with Trump as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continued to escalate. According to Downing Street, the two discussed the situation in the Middle East, “military cooperation between the UK and U.S. through the use of RAF bases” and the need to reopen the shipping route to reduce disruptions to global trade and energy supplies.

Starmer expressed condolences for American service members killed during the conflict. However, the official summary of the conversation did not indicate that Britain had agreed to send warships to the region.

On Monday, Starmer made clear that Britain is working with allies to find ways to reopen the strait but said the UK “will not be drawn into the wider war.”

British Senior cabinet minister Pat McFadden responded to Trump’s comments, saying the conflict involving Iran is not a NATO mission and does not automatically require allied military support. “It is not a NATO war, it is a US-Israeli action,” McFadden said.

“The articles of association of NATO state that it is a defensive alliance. We come to one another’s aid when those articles have been breached. We are deeply committed to NATO, but it was not conceived and does not operate in the kind of situation we are seeing in the Gulf right now.”

McFadden also stressed that Britain’s close relationship with the United States does not mean it must support every American military decision. “We always take the president seriously, but we have learned in the last 15 months or so since he came into office that there is a lot of rhetoric and statements.”

He added that the United Kingdom remains committed to the transatlantic alliance but will decide its involvement based on its own national interests. “That does not mean we have to support every single decision or military intervention that the US takes.”

The latest talks are seen as an attempt to clear the air after recent tensions, as Starmer prevented the U.S. from using a British airbase in the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia after the U.S. and Israel began the bombardment of Iran on February 28.

Responding to reports that the UK was mulling sending two aircraft carriers to the region to support the US-Israeli campaign to overthrow or subdue Iran’s government, Trump had said the help was no longer needed. In a post on Truth Social, Trump: “That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer – But we will remember. We don’t need people that join Wars after ​we’ve already won!”

Germany pushes back, says Iran War ‘is not NATO’s War’

Germany, one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe, has also rejected calls by President Trump for NATO allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, insisting the conflict with Iran falls outside the alliance’s mandate.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ruled out participation in any military activity, saying “There was never a joint decision on whether to intervene. That is why the question of how Germany might contribute militarily does not arise. We will not do so.”

Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was even more blunt. “This is not our war, we have not started it. What does Donald Trump expect from a handful of European frigates in the strait of Hormuz that the mighty U.S. navy cannot manage alone? This is the question I find myself asking.” he remarked.

Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said the war “has nothing to do with NATO,” emphasizing that NATO is a defensive alliance tasked with protecting member territory. Kornelius also noted that Washington and Israel did not consult European partners before launching the war and had initially indicated that European assistance was neither needed nor requested.

Trump warns NATO faces ‘very bad future’ if allies fail to help US in Iran

Over the weekend, Trump publicly urged Britain and other countries to deploy ships to the area to help secure the waterway. He argued that nations benefiting from the strait should take responsibility for protecting it.

“It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” Trump said. He also warned that NATO could face a “very bad” future if allies refused to support Washington.

“We’ll see if they help us. Because I’ve long said that we’ll be there for them, but they won’t be there for us.” The comments reflect Trump’s long-standing criticism that allies rely too heavily on American military protection while contributing too little themselves.

Trump said China gets about 90% of its oil from the strait, while the U.S. gets a minimal amount. He declined to discuss whether China will join the coalition.

“It would be nice to have other countries police that with us, and we’ll help. We’ll work with them,” Trump said. Previously, he has appealed to China, France, Japan, South Korea, and Britain.

European Allies Remain Cautious

Several European governments have reacted cautiously to Trump’s call for a naval coalition. Officials in multiple countries have indicated that they do not plan to send warships into the conflict, while discussions continue about whether Europe should take more limited steps to protect shipping.

European Union foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss the crisis and possible adjustments to the EU’s maritime security mission.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ministers would consider whether the mandate of the bloc’s naval mission should be expanded in response to the growing disruption to global shipping. “It is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open,” she said.

The EU’s existing mission was created as a defensive operation to protect commercial vessels and monitor maritime activity in the region. However, officials say the current crisis may require a broader response.

Despite the discussions, diplomats have signaled that a large European naval coalition similar to what Trump requested is unlikely to emerge. Some countries have also raised concerns that the United States and Israel launched military action against Iran without consulting European allies beforehand.

Energy Crisis Hits UK Households

While international tensions dominate headlines, the British government has also focused heavily on the economic impact of the conflict. Disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have pushed global oil prices sharply higher, increasing pressure on energy costs for households.

During a press conference on Monday, Starmer announced financial support for households that rely on heating oil, which is not covered by Britain’s energy price cap. Around 1.5 million homes depend on heating oil, and prices have more than doubled as shipping disruptions affect global supply.

Starmer said protecting families from rising living costs would remain his government’s top priority. “It’s moments like this that tell you what a government is about,” he said.

“My answer is clear. Whatever challenges lie ahead, this government will always support working people.” “That is my first instinct, my priority, to help you with the cost of living through this crisis.”

The prime minister also warned companies against exploiting the crisis to increase prices unfairly. “I will not tolerate companies trying to exploit this crisis to make money from working people,” he said, adding that “If the companies have broken the law, there will be legal action.”

As the crisis continues, Britain appears determined to balance its alliance with the United States while avoiding deeper military involvement in the conflict.