Donald Trump Warns NATO Of “Very Bad Future” If Allies Refuse To Help In Iran Crisis
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to NATO allies, saying the military alliance could face a “very bad future” if member countries refuse to assist the United States in securing the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz during the escalating conflict with Iran.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump urged European nations and other global partners to contribute military resources to reopen the critical shipping route after tensions in the Middle East disrupted traffic through the waterway.
The comments reflect growing frustration in Washington as the U.S. pushes for broader international involvement in managing the crisis.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters
Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important energy chokepoints in the world. Roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passes through the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to international markets.
The strait effectively became blocked after the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iranian targets earlier in the month. Since then, fears of naval mines, drone attacks, and other disruptions have raised concerns about a major shock to global energy markets.
Oil prices climbed sharply as the conflict intensified, reaching about $106 per barrel, roughly 45 percent higher than before the war began.
Trump argued that many countries dependent on Gulf oil should take responsibility for protecting the route.
“It’s only appropriate that people who benefit from the strait help make sure nothing bad happens there,” Trump said.
Pressure on NATO Allies
Trump suggested that failure to assist could weaken the future of NATO, the military alliance that has linked the United States with Europe and Canada for decades.
“We have NATO,” Trump said. “We’ve been very sweet. We helped them with Ukraine. Now we’ll see if they help us.”
The president has long criticized NATO allies for what he views as insufficient defense contributions. His latest remarks appeared to signal that U.S. support for the alliance could depend on how countries respond to the current crisis.
Trump specifically suggested that European nations send minesweepers and naval forces to clear potential explosives from the strait. European navies possess a larger number of such vessels than the United States.
He also hinted that allied forces could assist with operations targeting Iranian drone units and naval threats along the coastline.
Frustration With the United Kingdom
Trump singled out the United Kingdom for what he described as a slow response.
After speaking with Keir Starmer, Trump said he expected faster military assistance from Washington’s longtime ally.
“The UK might be considered the number one ally,” Trump said. “But when I asked them to come, they didn’t want to come.”
According to Trump, London later offered to send naval ships after the U.S. and Israeli forces had already significantly weakened Iranian military capabilities.
China Also Under Pressure
Trump also indicated that China should play a role in reopening the strait, noting that Beijing relies heavily on energy imports from the Gulf region.
He suggested that cooperation on the issue could affect his planned summit with Xi Jinping, which had been scheduled for later in March.
“I think China should help too,” Trump said. “They get most of their oil from the strait.”
Trump said the summit could be delayed if Beijing does not provide support or show willingness to assist with maintaining security in the waterway.
Continued Military Escalation
During the interview, Trump also warned that the United States could carry out additional strikes against Iranian infrastructure, including facilities connected to the country’s oil exports.
He referenced a recent U.S. bombing raid on Kharg Island, one of Iran’s major oil export terminals, suggesting the United States could further damage Iran’s oil facilities if necessary.
At the same time, the conflict has already begun affecting international forces. Reports indicate that a French soldier was killed in an Iranian drone strike in Iraq and an Italian aircraft was destroyed at a base in Kuwait.
Global Stakes Rising
The situation in the Gulf is rapidly becoming one of the most serious geopolitical crises of 2026.
A prolonged closure or disruption of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger severe economic consequences worldwide, particularly in energy markets.
For that reason, Trump is pushing allies to take a more active role in securing the region.
Whether NATO members and other global powers choose to join the effort remains uncertain, but the coming weeks could determine how far the international coalition around the United States is willing to go in confronting Iran.
