Trump’s Criticism of NATO Allies and the Strait of Hormuz
Throughout his two terms in office, US President Donald Trump has frequently criticised – and at times attacked – Washington's NATO allies.
His recent suggestion that failing to secure the Strait of Hormuz would be "very bad for the future of NATO" reflects an interpretation of the alliance’s purpose that has already drawn scrutiny.
"NATO was created as a defensive alliance," Gen Sir Nick Carter, former chief of the Defence Staff, told the BBC on Monday.
"It was not an alliance that was designed for one of the allies to go on a war of choice and then oblige everybody else to follow," he said. "I'm not sure that's the sort of NATO that any of us wanted to belong to."
Coming from a president who only two months ago made assertive claims to Greenland, a sovereign territory of a fellow NATO member, there is a notable irony in these remarks.
This context helps explain why some responses have been quite direct.
In Germany, a government spokesman stated that the war with Iran had "nothing to do with NATO," while Defence Minister Boris Pistorius appeared to dismiss the idea that Europe’s relatively small navies could significantly impact the situation.
"What does Trump expect from a handful of European frigates that the powerful US navy cannot do?" he asked.
"This is not our war. We have not started it."
Urgency and Complexity of the Gulf Crisis
Despite these dismissals, there is an urgent and growing need to resolve the crisis in the Gulf. Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—allowing passage only for a limited number of vessels carrying its own oil to allies such as India and China—has left Western governments scrambling for solutions.
Although the crisis was triggered by Trump’s decision to engage in conflict, it demands swift resolution to prevent further damage to the global economy.
However, it is already evident that no quick fix exists.
At a news conference on Monday, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said discussions aimed at developing a "viable plan" were ongoing with the US, European, and Gulf partners, but that they were "not at the point of decisions yet."
The prime minister referenced autonomous mine-hunting systems already deployed in the region.
With HMS Middleton, a mine countermeasures vessel (MCMV), currently in Portsmouth undergoing major maintenance, this marks the first time in decades that no British mine-clearing ship is present in the region.
Instead, the Royal Navy plans to deploy newly developed seaborne drones designed to detect and neutralise mines without endangering crews.
Challenges in Minesweeping Capabilities
One issue President Trump faces is that minesweeping, once a core naval function, has declined in priority over the years.
Tom Sharpe, a former Royal Navy commander, noted that the latest British technologies have yet to be tested in combat.
"We're probably going to find out in the next few weeks whether or not it works," he told the BBC.
Gen Sir Nick Carter recalled that the last major Western naval de-mining operation was in 1991, after Iraq mined waters off Kuwait to prevent an amphibious landing during the first Gulf War.
"It took us fifty-one days to clear the mines," he said.
"No navy has invested in this at the scale that they should have done, least of all the Americans."
The US Navy’s Avenger-class specialised minesweepers, built with wooden hulls to avoid triggering magnetic mines, are all being withdrawn from service. They are being replaced by Independence-class littoral combat ships which employ various unmanned systems.
Additional Threats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
Beyond minesweeping, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is capable of deploying armed fast boats, naval "suicide" drones, and shore-based missiles to disrupt shipping.
Recent images released by Iran’s Fars News Agency showed large numbers of boats and drones stored in underground tunnels, indicating Tehran has long prepared for such a confrontation.
President Trump has suggested that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open—which he described last night as a "very small endeavour"—might require attacks on the Iranian coastline.
"He said he was looking for 'people who are going to knock out some bad actors that are along the shore.'"
The US has already targeted mine-laying boats docked in Iranian ports, but it is unlikely many of Washington’s allies would follow suit, especially if this entails deploying ground forces.
Allied Hesitation and Calls for De-escalation
Given the numerous risks, countries are hesitant to become involved, preferring to call, as the UK government has, for de-escalation as the most reliable way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
However, with American and Israeli officials discussing a campaign that could continue for several more weeks, immediate de-escalation appears unlikely.
Could allies be persuaded to send naval escorts for merchant vessels through this vital waterway?
Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated on Monday that Germany would not participate militarily in securing the Strait of Hormuz.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed a "clear wish" to extend EU naval operations in the Middle East but noted that EU foreign ministers declined to extend an existing naval mission in the Red Sea.
"This is not Europe's war," she added.
The EU’s Operation Aspides, launched in 2024 to counter threats to shipping posed by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, consists of only three warships and is relatively modest in scale.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said his government wanted to hear from Israel and the US "when they believe they will have achieved their military objectives in Iran" before discussing new security arrangements.
European Allies’ Positions and Potential Coalition Efforts
Among major European allies, France’s President Emmanuel Macron appears most eager to get involved, stating a week ago that he was attempting to form a coalition to escort vessels and guarantee freedom of navigation.
However, he indicated this could only occur after the "hottest phase" of the conflict had passed. A few days later, his Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said there were no immediate plans to send vessels into the Strait of Hormuz.
Tom Sharpe explained that a potential escort operation would be far more complex than Operation Aspides, facing threats from air, surface, and underwater domains.
"Unlike with the Houthis, where it was only an air threat, with Iran, you have all three and you want to try and shoot these things before they're fired," he said. "That's not always possible."
Allies’ Reluctance and the Need for a Coordinated Plan
Currently, Trump’s somewhat unsettled allies are hesitant to engage directly in Iran, aware of the risks but conscious that inaction is not a viable option.
Sir Keir Starmer emphasized that any solution must involve "as many partners as possible" but that British military personnel require significant assurances before deployment on a potentially hazardous mission.
"The very least they deserve is to know that they do so on a legal basis and with a proper thought through plan."
At present, such a plan does not exist.
