U.S.-NATO Rift Over Strait of Hormuz Raises Questions About Alliance’s Future

Mar 20, 2026

U.S.-NATO Rift Over Strait of Hormuz Raises Questions About Alliance’s Future

Under mounting pressure from the United States and President Donald Trump, NATO allies are facing a critical question: whether to commit forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz—or risk deepening fractures within the alliance.

Tensions between Washington and its partners in NATO have intensified amid U.S. calls for support in safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz, as conflict in the Middle East escalates.

Roots of the Dispute

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (Photo: NATO).

Iran’s targeting of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz—a vital corridor that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply—has driven up energy prices, putting pressure on both the U.S. and global economies.

In an initial appeal on March 14, Trump urged countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to deploy naval assets to help secure the waterway, according to CNN.

A day later, he escalated his rhetoric, warning that NATO could face “a very bad future” if allies fail to assist in reopening the strait.

“It is entirely reasonable that countries benefiting from this passage contribute to ensuring nothing bad happens there,” Trump told the Financial Times, adding that a lack of support “would be very bad for NATO’s future.”

Allies Push Back

European leaders have largely rejected Trump’s call for NATO involvement.

A spokesperson for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the conflict “has nothing to do with NATO,” emphasizing that the alliance is designed for territorial defense and lacks a legal basis for such a deployment.

The United Kingdom echoed that stance. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said plainly: “This is not, and has never been considered, a NATO mission.”

Starmer stressed that Britain would “not be drawn into a wider war,” though he noted ongoing discussions with the U.S. and regional partners about the potential use of mine-clearing drones already deployed in the area.

Other allies have taken similar positions. Greece and Italy have ruled out participation, while Lithuania and Estonia have called for further clarification.

Following the muted response, Trump said on March 17 that he was not surprised and accused NATO allies of making a “serious mistake.”

“We no longer need, nor do we want, NATO’s assistance. In fact, we never did,” he wrote on Truth Social, adding that the U.S. does not require help from allies such as Japan, Australia, or South Korea.

What Comes Next?

The Strait of Hormuz (Photo: SANA).

European economies are already feeling the strain of disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said gas prices have risen 50% and oil prices 27% since the conflict began. In just 10 days, European consumers have spent an additional €3 billion ($3.44 billion), she said.

Despite economic and political pressure, analysts say NATO is unlikely to deploy forces to the region anytime soon.

Charles Hecker of the Royal United Services Institute told Deutsche Welle that European nations are reluctant to commit troops due to the risk of becoming targets.

Trump has specifically called on France and the U.K. to participate, but Hecker said both are unlikely to engage while active hostilities continue.

“They are not ready to join U.S. military operations in the Strait of Hormuz and likely won’t be in the near term,” he said.

Scott Anderson of the Brookings Institution described the situation as a “high-risk quagmire,” with concerns extending to potential domestic security threats.

According to Anderson, European involvement may only come after active combat subsides, possibly in the form of maritime security or mine-clearing operations.

Questions also remain about Washington’s next move, including whether the Trump administration could consider withdrawing from NATO. Analysts cited by Barron's say that scenario is unlikely.

For now, NATO appears to be seeking a balance—easing tensions with Washington while avoiding immediate deployment.

On March 18, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said allies are consulting on the best course of action.

“From what I understand, allies are working together and discussing how to proceed and what the best solution is,” Rutte said.

Another Vessel Ablaze in the Strait

Separately, satellite imagery showed thick smoke rising from the Malta-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige as it drifted in the Strait of Hormuz, CNN reported on March 19.

A container ship ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz on March 18 (Photo: European Space Agency).

Images from the European Space Agency showed the vessel about 4.5 nautical miles northeast of Ra’s Makhbūq, Oman.

The ship was reportedly struck by an “unidentified object” on March 4, causing a fire in its engine room, according to the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency. All crew members were safely evacuated.

A warning issued by Pakistan National Hydrographic Office on March 18 said the vessel remained on fire.

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