Trump: US No Longer Needs NATO Help After Strait Rejection
US President Donald Trump declared NATO assistance unnecessary after member nations rejected his request for a multinational naval force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, closed by Iran. Trump called the refusal a "very foolish mistake," stating "Everyone agrees with us, but they are unwilling to assist." He criticized Europe for not deploying minesweepers, calling it "unfair" to the US. The US leader also targeted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, noting the UK would not deploy vessels despite Trump's expectation of support. This follows Iran's attacks on Gulf cargo ships, halting oil shipments and causing price increases. Trump's comments emerged amid a worsening Middle East crisis and criticism of his shifting rationale for the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.