The world’s attention has zeroed in on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway now at the epicenter of a spiraling crisis as the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its third week. Despite mounting pressure from President Donald Trump, European leaders have flatly rejected calls to join an international naval coalition to secure the vital shipping lane, which has been effectively closed since late February. The closure has sent oil prices soaring, disrupted global energy markets, and added yet another layer of complexity to an already volatile Middle East.
On March 16, 2026, European foreign ministers gathered in Brussels to confront the economic and security fallout from the ongoing conflict. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was unequivocal: Germany would not join any military operations. “We need more clarity here,” Wadephul told reporters, according to Reuters. “We expect from the US and Israel to inform us, to include us into what they’re doing there and to tell us if these goals are achieved.” He underscored the need for a broader security architecture in the region, but only after the situation became clearer.
Berlin’s stance was reinforced by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who stated, “This is not our war. We have not started it,” as reported by Al Jazeera. Pistorius questioned what European naval forces could achieve that the US Navy could not, emphasizing Germany’s willingness to support diplomatic efforts for safe passage but not military engagement. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s spokesman, Stefan Kornelius, echoed this sentiment, stressing that NATO’s mandate does not extend to the current conflict and that “the mandate to deploy NATO is lacking.”
The United Kingdom, another key US ally, struck a similar note. Prime Minister Keir Starmer made it clear that the UK would not participate in any NATO mission in the Strait of Hormuz and would not be drawn into the wider war. However, the UK is discussing the use of mine-hunting drones already stationed in the region, according to Reuters.
This skepticism was shared by other European Union members. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten told the ANP news agency that launching a successful mission in the strait would be “very difficult” in the short term. Lithuania and Estonia urged caution and called for more information about the US’s strategic goals. Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said Greece would not engage in military operations in the strait, and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed Italy’s non-involvement. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen advised keeping an open mind but insisted any plan should aim for de-escalation, as reported by Al Jazeera. Poland’s Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski indicated that any formal request should go through NATO channels, referencing Article 4 of the alliance’s founding treaty.
Meanwhile, President Trump has not been shy about expressing his disappointment. Speaking at the White House, he criticized countries reluctant to get involved, singling out the UK and referencing “years of US spending on NATO and all of these things to protect” America’s “oldest ally.” Trump said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio would soon announce which countries are willing to join the effort. In an interview with the Financial Times, he warned that a lack of support would be “very bad for the future of NATO.”
Trump’s frustration was palpable. “They should be jumping to help us,” he told reporters, according to DW. “Why are we protecting countries when they do not protect us?” He later added, “We don’t need anybody… We want them to come and help us with the strait,” but admitted his request was partly to gauge allies’ reactions. Trump also revealed discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, rating Macron’s response as “an eight, not perfect,” and suggesting that France might eventually lend support.
On the ground, the US has ramped up its military presence, deploying additional warships and thousands of marines to the Middle East. The US attack on Iran’s Kharg Island on March 13, targeting military sites, failed to break the blockade. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi threatened retaliation against US-linked energy facilities, and soon after, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were targeted by air attacks, causing fires at a UAE port and airport. The US Embassy in Baghdad was also hit by a drone, prompting a warning for Americans to leave Iraq. The Israeli military, for its part, announced plans for at least three more weeks of war and launched ground operations in southern Lebanon, according to CFR and DW.
As the conflict rages, the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon has reached alarming proportions. The Lebanese government reported that over one million people have been displaced by Israel’s offensive against Hezbollah. Shawky Amine Eddine of the International Committee of the Red Cross described the situation as “heartbreaking,” with families forced to sleep outdoors or in cars amid worsening conditions. “The humanitarian needs in Lebanon are immense,” Eddine told DW.
In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas summed up the European mood: “This is not Europe’s war.” Kallas pointed to a “clear wish” among EU ministers to strengthen the existing Aspides naval mission in the Middle East, originally launched in 2024 to protect ships from attacks by Yemen’s Houthis in the Red Sea. However, she made it clear there was “no appetite” for expanding the mission to the Strait of Hormuz. Kallas also noted that the strait’s closure, which has pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel, was benefiting Russia by boosting energy revenues that fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Elsewhere, Japan’s defense minister announced Tokyo had no plans to send ships and called for de-escalation. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Britain jointly urged Israel to avoid a major ground offensive in Lebanon, warning of devastating humanitarian consequences and calling for immediate de-escalation and political negotiations.
Despite the US allowing Iranian oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway remains largely closed to other traffic. The ongoing closure has rattled global markets; oil prices briefly surpassed $102 per barrel before settling just under $94, giving Wall Street its best day since the war began, as reported by DW. Still, traders remain wary that a prolonged shutdown could send prices—and inflation—soaring again.
As the war’s repercussions ripple outward, President Trump has sought to delay his upcoming trip to China, citing the need to manage the crisis from Washington. “I want to be here… I have to be here, I feel,” Trump said, according to DW. There was no immediate response from Beijing.
With no end to the conflict in sight and the world’s energy lifeline still under threat, the standoff at the Strait of Hormuz has become a defining test of transatlantic unity—and a stark reminder of just how quickly regional wars can send shockwaves across the globe.