Donald Trump has launched yet another scathing attack on NATO allies after announcing the Strait of Hormuz is now open. The US President took to Truth Social to mock the military bloc, insisting he had told officials to “stay away” unless they wanted to “load up their ships with oil”.
In a fiery post, Mr Trump wrote: “Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help. I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY, UNLESS THEY JUST WANT TO LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS WITH OIL. They were useless when needed, a Paper Tiger! President DJT.” The remarks are the latest in a long-running feud between Mr Trump and NATO, which he has repeatedly accused of relying too heavily on the United States. During his first term in office, Mr Trump frequently criticised member states for failing to spend enough on defence, warning America should not be expected to shoulder the burden alone. His latest broadside came after tensions in the Middle East triggered fears over shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world's most important oil chokepoints.
The disruption in the region has sent shockwaves through global markets and fuel concerns over energy prices.
Trump's criticism comes after French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of allies to consider sending a multinational force to ensure security and free-flowing trade in the Strait of Hormuz once the current conflict between Iran and the US and Israel ends.
During a gathering the world leaders in Paris on Friday, Sir Keir Starmer said both countries would work to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as conditions allow”.
The UK Prime Minister said: “This will be strictly peaceful and defensive, as a mission to reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance.”
He added: “We invite all nations with an interest in the free flow of global trade to join us. Some have already indicated their readiness to contribute.
Macron and Starmer chair talks on a multinational force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“We will take this forward with a military planning conference in London next week where we will announce more detail on the composition of the mission, and over a dozen countries have already offered to contribute assets.”
Posting on X during the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative talks in France on Friday, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, posted that “passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire”.
The passage through the strait will be on the coordinated route announced by the Ports and Maritime Organisation of Iran, Araghchi said.
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In a further post, Trump welcomed a Iran's willingness to effectively re-open the Strait, adding: “Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World!”
He also added that Iran, with the help of the USA, is continuing to removes mines from the Strait.
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