Trump upset as key US partners shun call for Hormuz warship escorts
Published on March 17, 2026
Several US allies rebuffed Donald Trump’s call on Monday to send warships to escort shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, drawing disapproval from
An illustrative image related to: Trump upset as key US partners shun call for Hormuz warship escorts, highlighting key aspects of the story. | Image source: Dawn.com
Trump upset as key US partners shun call for Hormuz warship escorts
Several US allies rebuffed Donald Trump’s call on Monday to send warships to escort shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, drawing disapproval from the US head, who charged individual Western partners of ingratitude after decades of backing.
The US-Israeli conflict on Iran is in its third week with no end in sight, largely shutting the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20pc of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flow, raising energy prices and fears of price-rise.
Israel stated on Monday it had drawn up detailed plans for at least three more weeks of conflict as it pounded sites across Iran overnight, while Iranian drone attacks temporarily shut Dubai airport and hit a key oil facility in the United Arab Emirates.
A number of US partners, including Germany, Spain and Italy, stated they had no immediate plans to send ships to help reopen the strategic waterway, which Iran has effectively shut with drones and naval mines.
“We lack the authority from the United Nations, the European Union, or Nato required under the Basic Statute,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated in Berlin, adding that Washington and Israel had not consulted Germany before launching the conflict: “That is why the question of how Germany might become militarily involved here does not arise.”
Trump, speaking at a news conference in Washington, stated many countries had informed him they were prepared to help, but voiced frustration with some long-standing allies hosting large numbers of US forces.
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