President Donald Trump has taken aim at NATO partners, accusing them of making a “foolish mistake”.
With tensions linked to Iran continuing, Trump began the week urging US allies to help protect the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.
He also criticised UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and questioned the strength of the long-standing US “special relationship” with Britain, after the UK’s reaction to developments involving Iran. Trump had been pushing other nations to deploy warships to safeguard what is widely regarded as the world’s busiest oil shipping corridor.
His comments followed remarks from the UK Prime Minister, who said Britain was working with partners on a “viable, collective plan” to reopen the strait as oil prices rose sharply.
Trump has since criticised NATO members for declining to support the US effort to secure the Strait of Hormuz, despite the strain on energy markets caused by the disruption.
Speaking at the White House alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump said he had been told by most NATO allies that they did not want to become involved in the conflict, which many view as unlawful.
While he suggested some countries could still be willing to help escort ships through the strait, he did not identify any nations publicly.
On Tuesday (March 17), Trump said the US did not require assistance from the alliance: “we don’t need any help”.
He added: “But they should’ve been there.”
Trump reserved particular criticism for the UK, claiming the level of involvement and backing for US-Israeli strikes on Iran had been lacking.
He said the US-UK relationship was “always the best” until “[Prime Minister] Keir [Starmer] came along”.
The US President also described the situation as a “great test” of the alliance’s relationship with Washington.
Asked whether he was considering any retaliatory steps, Trump said he had “nothing currently in mind”.
US officials have not specified which allies, if any, are prepared to help oil shipments move through the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK, Germany and France have all said they have not yet made a final decision.
On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said France did not want to take part.
“We are not a party to the conflict, and therefore France will never take part in operations to reopen or liberate the Strait of Hormuz,” Macron said.