New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has warned that NATO could face a “very bad” future if its allies fail to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump said countries that benefit from the waterway should help ensure its security. He argued that Europe and China rely heavily on oil supplies from the Persian Gulf compared with the US.
Trump said it was appropriate for countries that benefit from the strait to help ensure that no disruption takes place there. He also warned that a lack of response or a negative response from allies could lead to serious consequences for the future of NATO.
The US president also indicated that he could delay a planned summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as Washington presses Beijing to help address the situation.
Several countries have shown caution about joining military efforts in the region, theguardian.com reported.
Japan said it will not send warships for now. Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told parliament that Tokyo was not currently considering launching a maritime security operation related to the Iran situation.
In the UK, officials are preparing plans to deploy minesweeping drones to the strait. Authorities remain concerned that sending warships could escalate tensions in the region.
Australia has also ruled out sending naval vessels. Transport Minister Catherine King said the government had not been asked to contribute ships and was not planning to deploy any.
Meanwhile, authorities in Dubai said a fire near the international airport had been contained. Officials confirmed that emergency teams brought the blaze under control and reported no injuries.
Iranian authorities also reported a series of arrests linked to the ongoing conflict. Police chief Ahmadreza Radan said security forces had detained about 500 people accused of sharing information with hostile groups.
In a separate development, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Massoud Pezeshkian and urged Tehran to stop what he described as unacceptable attacks in the region. Macron said France was acting in a defensive framework to protect its interests, support its regional partners and ensure freedom of navigation.
The crisis around the Strait of Hormuz has raised global concerns. About one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes through the waterway. Tensions escalated after Iran announced it would target ships using the route. The disruption pushed oil prices from about USD 65 per barrel to more than USD 100.
