While Donald Trump insisted that NATO’s survival depended on allies sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz, European nations made clear that their preferred instrument was diplomacy, not military force. The strait had been effectively closed by Iran, causing a major disruption to global energy markets and prompting the US president to call on allied nations to help reopen it by force if necessary. European governments rejected that framing, arguing that without a clear plan and shared objectives, military deployment would only worsen an already precarious situation.
Germany’s leaders were unequivocal in their opposition. Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that Germany had no plans to contribute militarily and placed the refusal in a broader context of historical experience with the limitations of military bombardment. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius challenged the premise of the request by asking what European frigates could offer that US naval power had not already failed to provide. Their statements positioned Germany as among the most principled of the European nations unwilling to engage.
The United Kingdom took a more measured stance. Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged that reopening the strait was an urgent global priority but was careful not to commit Britain to any specific course of action. He promised a viable plan developed through broad international consultation, and while Trump expressed dissatisfaction, he appeared to retain some hope that London would eventually engage.
Italy, France, Greece, Japan, and Australia each declined Trump’s appeal, and the EU’s foreign ministers determined not to expand Operation Aspides’ mandate to include the Hormuz area. The bloc’s foreign policy chief confirmed that while strengthening the existing mission had support, altering its geographic or operational scope did not. Estonia’s representative spoke for many by calling for greater transparency from Washington and Tel Aviv on their ultimate goals in the conflict.
Military developments continued to escalate on multiple fronts. Israel launched new strikes on Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz while announcing plans for continued operations over the coming weeks. Iran fired missiles at Israel, which were intercepted, and rejected any ceasefire proposal on terms unfavorable to Tehran. Drone attacks disrupted UAE oil port operations and caused fires near Dubai airport. American forces reported 13 fatalities and more than 200 wounded, while human rights monitors placed the death toll inside Iran at over 1,800.
European Countries Say Hormuz Needs Diplomacy, Not Warships
