US President Donald Trump warned North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members could face a “very bad” future if they do not support US efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran.
In an interview with a British daily newspaper Financial TimesPresident Trump urged allies, especially European countries, to join a “team effort” to secure the key maritime gateway through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supplies pass. Iran has blocked most of the waterway since the war broke out two weeks ago.
“It is appropriate for the people who are beneficiaries of the strait to help prevent bad things from happening there,” Trump said. “If there is no response or a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO.” He argued that Europe and China, unlike the United States, are heavily dependent on Gulf oil.
NATO is a military alliance formed by 31 countries, including North America and Europe, for collective defense, and an attack on one member state is considered an attack on all member states. The United States is NATO’s most powerful member and plays a leading role within the alliance, providing the lion’s share of military capabilities, funding, and strategic leadership.
“We have this thing called NATO. We have been very sweet. We have not had to help them with Ukraine. Ukraine is thousands of miles away from us… But we helped them. Now we will see if they will help us, because I have said for a long time that we will be there for them, but they will not be there for us. And I am not sure they will be there.” Financial Times A quote from the President of the United States.
Trump also said his meeting with China’s Xi Jinping later this month could be postponed if China does not help with efforts to reopen the strait. He said China, which relies heavily on Gulf oil imports, has a keen interest in restoring safe routes for tankers.
The remarks come as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East since the US and Israeli military operation against Iran began on February 28.
Tehran has effectively restricted the passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supplies pass. Since the conflict began, oil prices have soared amid the chaos, with the international price of crude oil exceeding $100 per barrel, up from about $72 to $73 before the war.
President Trump has repeatedly said the U.S. Navy will escort the tanker through the strait. However, no concrete steps in that direction have yet been announced. The White House said discussions were ongoing with several countries about forming a coalition to escort ships through the waterway, but details of the potential operation had not yet been finalized.
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