Israel/Iran conflict
Nato ally: This is not our war
UPDATED: US President Donald Trump has lashed out at Nato allies after his call for other countries to step up to clear the Strait of Hormuz met resistance.
Trump had demanded about seven countries send warships to keep the strait open.
He then said that failure to secure the strait would be "very bad for the future of Nato".
However, many Nato allies have not wanted to enter the conflict, with Germany being blunt:
“It is not Nato’s war. Nato is an alliance to defend the alliance area,” said Stefan Kornelius, spokesman for German chancellor Friedrich Merz said.
“The United States did not consult us before this war, and so we believe this is not a matter for Nato or the German government.”
Italy also shied away from sending military forces to the Strait of Hormuz, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani saying that while it supports reinforcing European Union naval missions in the Red Sea, "I don't think these missions can be expanded to include the Strait of Hormuz, especially since they are anti-piracy and defensive missions."
Trump, speaking this morning (NZT) slammed allies that were cautious about getting involved: "They said we'd rather not get involved ... I know that we'll protect them, and if we ever needed help, they won't be there for us."
He also rounded on UK PM Keir Starmer, who has refused to send warships to the strait.
“I was very surprised with the United Kingdom, because the United Kingdom two weeks ago, I said, ‘Why don’t you send some ships over?’ And he [Starmer] really didn’t want to do it.
Italy also shied away from sending military forces to the Strait of Hormuz, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani saying that while it supports reinforcing European Union naval missions in the Red Sea, "I don't think these missions can be expanded to include the Strait of Hormuz, especially since they are anti-piracy and defensive missions."
Trump, speaking this morning (NZT) slammed allies that were cautious about getting involved: "They said we'd rather not get involved ... I know that we'll protect them, and if we ever needed help, they won't be there for us."
He also rounded on UK PM Keir Starmer, who has refused to send warships to the strait.
“I was very surprised with the United Kingdom, because the United Kingdom two weeks ago, I said, ‘Why don’t you send some ships over?’ And he [Starmer] really didn’t want to do it.
“I said: ‘You don’t want to do it? We’ve been with you. You’re our oldest ally, and we spend a lot of money on Nato and all of these things, to protect you.’
“We’re protecting them. We’re working with them on Ukraine. Ukraine’s thousands of miles away, separated by a vast ocean. We don’t have to do that. We did it, well Biden did it.
“We don’t need to work with them in Ukraine... I think it’s terrible.”
“We don’t need to work with them in Ukraine... I think it’s terrible.”