Iran's Revolutionary Guard Challenges Trump Over Naval Strength in Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump has warned European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) of a “very bad” future if they refuse Washington’s request to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran has previously insisted that the critical maritime energy corridor remain open to all parties – except “hostile” nations.
“It would only be right if the parties benefiting from the Strait help ensure that nothing bad happens there,” Trump said, arguing that Europe and China are heavily dependent on Gulf oil, unlike the United States.
“If there is no response or if the response is negative, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO,” he added.
In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) challenged Trump to deploy US warships to support his repeated claims that Iran’s navy has essentially been destroyed.
“Did Trump not say that Iran’s navy has been destroyed? If so, let him send his ships to the Persian Gulf if he dares,” said an IRGC spokesman.
Several of Trump’s allied nations have stated their refusal to join any conflict against Iran, including deploying combat vessels to the Strait of Hormuz.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament that Tokyo has no plans to send naval vessels to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
“We have not made any decision regarding the dispatch of escort vessels. We continue to investigate what Japan can do independently and what can be done within a legal framework,” Takaichi said.
Australia also will not send vessels to the Strait of Hormuz despite calls from US President Donald Trump for allies to help secure the critical waterway, the country’s transport minister said on Monday.
Transport Minister Catherine King told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Australia has not been asked to deploy ships. Instead, Australia will contribute by providing aircraft to assist defence efforts in the United Arab Emirates.
“Well, we have been very clear about our contribution in relation to that request, and as far as we are concerned, that is for the UAE – clearly providing aircraft to help with defence, particularly given the number of Australians in that region – but we will not be sending ships to the Strait of Hormuz,” she said.