Trump Calls NATO Allies “Cowards” Amidst Strait of Hormuz Closure
President Trump on Friday sharply criticized NATO allies, labeling them “cowards” for declining to contribute troops to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil supplies that remains closed due to ongoing tensions with Iran. The escalating rhetoric comes as the conflict between the U.S. And Iran, stemming from Israel’s attack on the South Pars natural gas field, nears its third week.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, is significantly impacting global energy markets, with international Brent crude trading around $107 a barrel – a more than 47% increase since the conflict began on February 28.
According to reports, thousands of additional U.S. Marines and three warships are being deployed to the Middle East. This represents the second Marine expeditionary unit sent to the region since the start of the conflict.
Earlier this week, President Trump stated the U.S. “doesn’t demand their help” after NATO allies rebuffed his request to send warships to help police the strait. He had initially requested assistance from both European and Asian partners. Trump described NATO’s decision as a “very foolish mistake.”
“This was a great test because we don’t need them, but they should have been there,” the president said during a meeting with Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin on March 17, 2026.
Several European leaders have publicly stated their unwillingness to become involved in the conflict. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday, “This is not our war; we did not start it.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed this sentiment, stating, “We will not be drawn into the wider war.” Trump had demanded help from NATO and other U.S. Allies to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the lack of support from allies, President Trump claimed on Monday that “numerous countries” had informed him they were “on the way,” but he did not identify which nations and stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would soon release a list. As of Tuesday afternoon, March 19, 2026, that list had not been made public.
The president also said Friday that the U.S. Is attempting to contact Iranian leadership, but “there’s nobody to talk to” left. “Their leaders are all gone,” he said. “The next set of leaders are all gone. And the next set of leaders are mostly gone. And now, nobody wants to be a leader over there anymore. We’re having a hard time, we want to talk to them and there’s nobody to talk to. We have nobody to talk to. And you know what, we like it that way.”
The development underscores growing regional tensions and the potential for further escalation in the absence of diplomatic solutions.
