world 16 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
NATO Allies Reject Trump's Call for Ships in Strait of Hormuz
US allies, particularly NATO members, have declined President Trump's request to deploy naval forces to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Iran blocked it in retaliation to US-Israeli strikes. European leaders emphasize that the conflict is not theirs and prioritize de-escalation over military involvement. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/world/us-allies-rebuff-trump-s-request-for-support-in-strait-of-hormuz-5392852
US President Donald Trump urged allies to send ships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for one-fifth of global oil, following Iran’s use of drones, missiles, and mines to close it after US-Israeli attacks.
Most NATO countries showed hesitation, wary of escalating tensions with Iran. Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius questioned the need for European frigates alongside the US Navy, stating, “This is not our war, we have not started it.”
A German government spokesperson noted that neither the US nor Israel consulted Europe beforehand, and Washington had initially said assistance was unnecessary.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas mentioned discussions to possibly extend the Aspides mission from the Red Sea to the strait, but Greece, leading the operation, plans to stay limited to the Red Sea.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed willingness to collaborate on navigation security using mine-hunting systems, without entering a broader war. Denmark urged an open-minded EU approach for de-escalation, while Spain and Italy firmly opposed actions that could worsen the conflict.
Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini warned that deploying ships to a war zone would equate to joining the war. Meanwhile, China is engaging all parties to reduce tensions.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)