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US President Donald Trump has said allies must find a solution within days to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Any operation would likely involve deploying military vessels and personnel to the region, despite initial reluctance from European allies.
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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has informed key member states of Trump’s demands following talks in Washington on Thursday.
Rutte is in the US capital for a three-day visit, which included meetings at the White House with Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, was high on the agenda.
Ahead of the visit, Trump reiterated threats to reconsider US participation in NATO, criticising European allies for rejecting his calls to contribute assets to secure the strait, which has been largely closed to international shipping by Iran.
Following the talks, Rutte said Trump was “absolutely disappointed” over the issue.
“It was a very frank, very open discussion, but also a discussion between two good friends,” Rutte said of the private meeting held without media access.
On Thursday, Rutte reportedly contacted European capitals from Washington to relay Trump’s insistence that allies produce a plan to reopen the strait.
A NATO spokesperson confirmed to Euronews: “The Secretary General is in contact with allies about his discussions in Washington. It’s clear that the United States expects concrete commitments and action to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Trump also criticised allies on social media, saying “none of these people, including our own, very disappointing NATO, understood anything unless they have pressure placed upon them.”
Last week, more than 40 countries joined a coalition aimed at securing free passage through the strait, a critical shipping route for global energy supplies, once the most intense phase of the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran ends.
Governments including the UK, Germany, Finland, Norway, France and Spain had initially said they would not deploy troops or naval forces, arguing they were not responsible for an offensive operation in Iran.
However, Trump has insisted he wants a plan within days, regardless of ongoing instability.
A source close to the discussions told Euronews it would be in the interest of NATO countries to respond positively, or risk wider consequences for collective security.
“What this all means for NATO is effectively up to the nations of NATO,” the source said. “Will they act, and if they do, will they act constructively towards their and the Alliance’s collective security and meet their obligations?”
NATO allies are now holding accelerated discussions on how to reopen the strait in the most practical and efficient way. Sources said Trump has told Rutte a plan must be developed “within days rather than weeks”.
“They are going to have to come up with some form of physical presence in the region,” the source said.
“As we know, this piece of geography is water-based, so this will likely involve some form of naval vessels and personnel to operate them,” they added.
Allies could also potentially rely on intelligence support and demining operations, sources told Euronews.
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