Several countries within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), including France and United Kingdom, have indicated that former U.S. President Donald Trump should deal with the issue of closing the Strait of Hormuz on his own, stating they will not take part in the move.
Trump had earlier suggested that other countries would assist the United States in blocking vessels entering or leaving Hormuz. He also warned that any ship that had paid Iran to pass through the route could be targeted.
“No one who has paid illegally will be allowed safe passage in international waters. Any Iranian who attempts to shoot at us will be sent straight to hell,” Trump said.
However, the U.S. military command operating in the Middle East, United States Central Command (CENTCOM), later clarified Trump’s remarks. The command explained that ships would only be targeted if they were entering or leaving ports in Iran. Vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz without docking at Iranian ports would not be affected.
In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump reaffirmed that the United States would begin blocking ships entering or leaving all Iranian ports starting on April 13, 2026, at 11:00 p.m.
The refusal by France and the United Kingdom to support the plan highlights growing tensions between major Western allies. Trump has repeatedly criticized European countries, accusing them of failing to provide sufficient support in confronting Iran and even threatening to withdraw the United States from NATO and pull American troops out of Europe.
European officials said they would only support efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz if there is a genuine attempt to end the conflict and if an agreement is reached with Iran guaranteeing that ships passing through the route will not be attacked.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has reportedly told European members that Trump is seeking their cooperation in securing the Strait of Hormuz.
Rutte recently stated that NATO could participate in protecting the strategic waterway if all 32 member states agree to deploy troops for a mission aimed at safeguarding vessels traveling through the route.
Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said his country is working closely with India to find ways for Indian ships to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
This comes as nearly 40 percent of oil shipments bound for India have been unable to pass through the route due to the ongoing conflict.
At the same time, the United Nations has announced it is exploring ways to help fertilizer-carrying ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz more easily.
The UN is considering the proposal after its United Nations Security Council recently failed to reach an agreement on deploying peacekeeping forces to protect vessels traveling through the crucial maritime corridor.