European countries reject Trump’s call for help to reopen strait of Hormuz

European countries reject Trump’s call for help to reopen strait of Hormuz

European nations have declined to deploy naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz, even as U.S. President Donald Trump warned that NATO would face a “very bad future” if its members did not assist in reopening the critical waterway. While Trump emphasized the importance of international support, Germany, the UK, and Italy have all expressed reluctance to take military action, including operations in the strait.

“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,” said Chancellor Friedrich Merz, underscoring the country’s stance on avoiding direct involvement.

Merz acknowledged the Iranian regime’s role in the crisis but stressed that a military approach, such as bombing Iran into submission, was unlikely to be effective. “This is not our war, we have not started it,” added Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, questioning Trump’s expectations for European contributions. “What does Donald Trump expect from a handful of European frigates in the strait of Hormuz that the mighty US navy cannot manage alone? This is the question I find myself asking,” Pistorius remarked.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted the UK’s focus on a “viable plan” to address the situation, while emphasizing that the nation would not be drawn into the broader regional conflict. “Ultimately, we have to reopen the strait of Hormuz to ensure stability in the [oil] market. That is not a simple task,” he noted.

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani echoed the sentiment, declaring that “diplomacy needs to prevail” and stating his country was not participating in any naval missions that could be expanded to the area. He also cast doubt on extending existing EU missions in the Red Sea, which are focused on anti-piracy and defensive operations, to the strait of Hormuz.

The European Union’s foreign ministers met on Monday and decided against broadening their naval mission’s scope. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted that while there was a desire to strengthen Operation Aspides, member states showed little interest in altering its mandate. “There was in our discussions a clear wish to strengthen this operation, but for the time being, there was no appetite in changing the mandate,” Kallas explained.

European leaders have also sought clarity on the objectives of the U.S.-led and Israeli-backed military campaign. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna pointed out that allies wanted to understand Trump’s “strategic goals. What will be the plan?” Meanwhile, Greece, which hosts the headquarters for Operation Aspides, confirmed it would not engage in military operations in the strait.

Trump’s recent statements at a press conference reiterated his push for allies to support reopening shipping lanes. “Some are very enthusiastic about it and some aren’t,” he said, while expressing dissatisfaction with the UK. However, he acknowledged the UK’s potential involvement, despite its hesitation. The U.S. leader had previously called on other nations to send ships to protect commercial vessels and unblock oil shipments, framing the effort as a shared responsibility.

“It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there. If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO,” Trump stated in an interview with the Financial Times.

Soon after the 16-day-old attack on Iran by the U.S. and Israel, Trump had announced the campaign’s goal as regime change. The conflict has since escalated, leading to surging energy prices and prompting European ministers to prioritize diplomatic solutions over military intervention.