Trump frustrated as US allies reluctant to send minesweeping vessels to Strait of Hormuz

Washington - US President Donald Trump has complained about countries that have been “protected” by the United States but are reluctant to send minesweeping vessels to the Strait of Hormuz.

“Many countries have told me that they are heading to the location, some very enthusiastically, some not. Some are countries that we have helped for many years,” Trump said on Monday (16 March).

“We want to know, ‘Do you have minesweeping vessels?’ They answer, ‘We would prefer not to be involved.’ For 40 years, we have protected you, and you don’t want to be involved in something very small,” he said.

On Saturday, Trump called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and other nations to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.

France and several other countries are preparing a joint mission to ensure safe passage for tanker ships amid the Middle East conflict, according to a Financial Times report on Sunday.

Trump also expressed doubt that NATO allies would defend the United States, contrasting this with the American commitment to the defence alliance.

On 28 February, the United States and Israel launched strikes against targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and resulting in civilian casualties.

Iran retaliated by attacking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.

The escalation has caused disruptions to traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the main shipping route for oil and liquified natural gas from Gulf nations to global markets, affecting oil exports and production in the region.