Several United States allies on Monday rejected former US president Donald Trump’s call to deploy warships to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, the refusal prompted sharp criticism from Trump, who accused Western partners of lacking gratitude despite decades of American military support.
Meanwhile, the US-Israeli war against Iran entered its third week with no sign of ending. The conflict has largely shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route through which about 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass. As a result, energy prices have surged and concerns over global inflation have intensified.
In response to Washington’s request, several European partners, including Germany, Spain and Italy, said they had no immediate plans to send naval forces to help reopen the strategic waterway. Iran has effectively blocked the passage using drones and naval mines.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz explained that Berlin lacked the legal mandate required under the country’s Basic Law. Moreover, he said neither Washington nor Israel had consulted Germany before launching the war, therefore ruling out German military involvement.
Trump, however, expressed frustration during a press conference in Washington. He claimed that although some countries supported the idea, others hosting large US troop deployments showed little enthusiasm.
Israel plans an extended military campaign
At the same time, Israel signaled that its military campaign would continue. Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said the army had prepared detailed operational plans for at least three more weeks of strikes inside Iran.
According to Israeli officials, the objective remains weakening Iran’s military and security infrastructure, including missile systems and nuclear facilities. Shoshani added that thousands of potential targets remain.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it could strike US industrial facilities across the Middle East and urged civilians near American-owned plants to evacuate.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also denied requesting a ceasefire, while accusing regional states hosting US forces of enabling attacks on Iranian territory.
