US Ambassador Says Trump Right to Push NATO Allies to Secure Strait of Hormuz

Washington — President Donald Trump’s request for NATO member states to join the United States in efforts to restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz amid US-Israeli military operations against Iran has been deemed appropriate.

This assessment was made by US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker on Monday.

Previously on Sunday (15 March), Trump expressed doubt that NATO allies would be willing to defend the United States, contrasting with Washington’s commitment to supporting the alliance.

“The security of the Strait of Hormuz is in their interest — the NATO countries — and therefore he (Trump) is absolutely right to suggest that our allies need to come, they need to help and support our efforts in ensuring that the Iranian regime no longer possesses ballistic missiles, Shahed drones, or develops nuclear weapons,” Whitaker told Fox News.

On Saturday (14 March), 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 currently conducting a joint mission to ensure the waterway remains safe for tanker traffic amid Middle Eastern conflict, according to Financial Times reporting on Sunday.

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

Iran responded by attacking Israeli territory and US military facilities throughout the Middle East.

The escalation regarding Iran has caused traffic disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a primary route for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments from Persian Gulf countries to global markets, affecting regional oil exports and production.