Advertisement

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that NATO could face a “very bad” future if allied countries fail to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively shut amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

In a brief interview with the Financial Times, Trump said that while the United States has supported Ukraine in its war with Russia, he expects European allies to contribute to efforts aimed at reopening the vital oil transit route.

“If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO,” Trump said, reiterating his long-standing criticism that some alliance members rely too heavily on U.S. support.

Advertisement

Trump also suggested that a planned summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping could be postponed as Washington seeks Beijing’s cooperation in resolving the situation in the Strait.

“We’d like to know before,” Trump said, noting that China and several European nations depend heavily on oil shipments passing through the Gulf.

“It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” he added.

Speaking separately to reporters aboard the presidential aircraft, Air Force One, Trump disclosed that the United States was holding discussions with “about seven” countries to help reopen the strategic waterway.

He indicated that Washington was seeking support such as minesweepers and forces capable of neutralising hostile elements along the Iranian coastline.

The uncertainty surrounding the conflict with Iran has unsettled global oil markets, pushing crude prices higher over the past two weeks due to fears of supply disruptions.

On Sunday, the U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose 2.5 percent to $100.22 per barrel, while Brent Crude climbed 2.9 percent to $106.11 per barrel.

LUKMAN ABDULMALIK
Latest posts by LUKMAN ABDULMALIK (see all)
Advertisement

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR