According to Reuters, U.S. President Donald Trump has urged NATO allies to provide military assistance in securing the Strait of Hormuz as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.
His comments were made during an interview with the Financial Times published on March 15, 2026.
In the interview, Trump linked his request directly to America’s previous support for European allies during the war in Ukraine.
He argued that Washington stepped in to assist even though the conflict was far from U.S. territory, suggesting allies should now return the favor.
“We’ve been very sweet. We didn’t have to help them with Ukraine. Ukraine is thousands of miles away from us… But we helped them. Now we’ll see if they help us,” Trump said.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, carrying a significant portion of global energy supplies.
Shipping through the waterway has been disrupted after Iran reportedly moved to block access following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, including facilities linked to military operations near Kharg Island.
According to reports, Iran has used a mix of naval mines, drones, and other tactics in response to the strikes, creating risks for commercial tankers moving through the narrow passage.
The situation has already pushed global oil prices higher and raised concerns about energy security in Europe and Asia.
Trump said NATO countries could help stabilize the route by deploying naval forces, including minesweepers and escort ships for oil tankers. He also suggested allied forces could assist in countering threats along Iran’s coastline.
The president warned that a lack of support could damage the future of the alliance, saying it would create a “very bad future” for NATO cooperation.
The remarks come as Washington grows increasingly frustrated with what it views as hesitation among some partners.
Trump has previously criticized NATO members for not sharing enough of the security burden, and his latest comments extend that argument to the Middle East crisis.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has acknowledged that many member states support U.S. efforts to counter Iran’s missile and nuclear programs, but he emphasized that the alliance itself is not formally involved in the conflict…..See More
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