Trump Warns NATO Over Failure to Help Secure Strait of Hormuz

Washington, D.C. — Donald Trump has warned that the future of NATO could be “very bad” if allied countries fail to help secure and keep open the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to a British newspaper, the U.S. president said that the United States is currently in talks with Iran but expressed doubt about Tehran’s willingness to cooperate. Trump said Washington is discussing the issue with seven countries and has asked them to assist in protecting the strategically vital waterway.

He added that Israel is working with the United States to ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the British newspaper, Trump warned that if NATO fails to help reopen and secure the strait, the alliance could face serious consequences in the future.

The U.S. president also said that his planned meeting later this month with Xi Jinping, the president of China, could be delayed. Trump suggested that the meeting would make more sense only if countries benefiting from the strait help ensure stability and safety in the region.

Earlier, Trump had called on several nations — including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom — to send naval vessels to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. However, the appeal has so far received a largely muted response, with no country publicly announcing the deployment of warships to the region.