The future of NATO is “very bad” if its allies do not participate in securing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump said, according to a report in the Financial Times. The warning comes as tensions escalate in the Persian Gulf following attacks on Iran by the U.S. And Israel, and as Tehran attempts to block the vital shipping lane.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for global oil exports, and its potential closure has raised concerns about disruptions to the world’s energy supply. This development underscores growing regional instability and the potential for wider conflict.
Trump stated on Saturday that countries importing oil through the Strait of Hormuz must take responsibility for keeping the passage open, adding that the U.S. Is prepared to assist. He also indicated that several nations, in cooperation with the United States, would deploy warships to the area to maintain freedom of navigation, though he did not specify which countries.
“If there is no reaction, or if the reaction is negative, I think that will be very bad for the future of NATO,” Trump told the Financial Times.
Trump further asserted that those who benefit from the Hormuz Strait should ensure “nothing bad happens” there, noting that Europe and China are heavily reliant on oil from the Persian Gulf. He is also reportedly pressing Beijing to help secure the crucial waterway, and indicated he is considering postponing a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping this month.
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration plans to announce this week that several countries have agreed to form a coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. However, discussions are ongoing regarding when these operations might initiate, particularly in relation to the ongoing hostilities in the region.
The disruption to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has been triggered by the conflict stemming from U.S. And Israeli attacks on Iran, leading to a significant increase in oil prices. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies pass through the strait. Trump has repeatedly claimed the conflict is already won, and previously pledged that the U.S. Would soon begin accompanying vessels through the strait to protect them from Iranian attacks, though this has not yet materialized.
