Headline Roundup • March 16th, 2026
UK, Some EU Nations Hesitant to Help US Unblock Strait of Hormuz
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Several European nations have declined President Donald Trump's requests for aid in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The Details: Trump said on Sunday that he was disappointed at some European leaders for not aiding the US in its efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz despite receiving assistance and protection from the US in the recent past. Trump said, "For 40 years, we're protecting you, and you don't want to get involved." He also said in an interview that "it will be very bad for the future of NATO" if European leaders do not join US efforts to reopen the Strait, which is vital for carrying oil, gas, and fertilizer to the rest of the world.
Countries Avoiding the Strait: The United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany have all denied Trump's requests to aid in reopening the Strait, with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying it is not the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) responsibility to do so. France will not send warships, though French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken with the president of Iran about restoring access to the waterway diplomatically.
Key Quotes: Boris Pistorius, Germany's Defense Minister, said, "What does … Donald Trump expect a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful U.S. Navy cannot do? This is not our war, we have not started it."
How the Media Covered It: This story was more widely covered by the left than the right. The New York Times (Lean Left bias) called the conflict with Iran "President Trump's assault on Iran" and said that European leaders are resisting his "bellicose demands" for assistance. The Times called his comments about NATO an extension of Trump's "bullying style of diplomacy." The Hill (Center) highlighted the German Defense Minister's comments specifically, also noting hesitation from Germany's Foreign Minister and other German spokespeople. New York Post (Lean right) emphasized Trump's criticism of countries that have not gotten involved but included quotes from their leaders explaining their choices.
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Featured Coverage of this Story
AP
President Trump slammed China and US allies Monday for demurring on his request to help patrol the Strait of Hormuz and reopen the vital oil trading route.
Trump said he's asked seven countries to send ships to ensure the narrow shipping lane stays open during the war with Iran. And so far he's not gotten any takers. One NATO ally even refused to get involved.
Their reluctance comes even though the vast majority of the oil flowing through the strait goes to Asia.
As President Trump's assault on Iran enters its third week, European leaders are largely resisting his bellicose demands for help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
At the same time, they are trying to avoid irreparably damaging their relationship with the United States over their opposition to another war of America's choosing.
Germany's defense minister on Monday rebuffed calls from U.S. President Trump to send ships to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, telling reporters "this is not our war."
Trump has called on allies, including those in NATO, for military support to keep the vital shipping route open. Iran has effectively closed the strait for the past two weeks in response to the U.S.-Israeli war on Tehran, using missiles, drones and mines to attack oil tankers trying to get through.
