President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to withdraw U.S. protection of the Strait of Hormuz from European and Asian nations that have refused to support American military operations against Iran, warning that non-cooperative allies could soon find themselves responsible for the waterway’s security.
“I wonder what would happen if we ‘finished off’ what’s left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don’t, be responsible for the so called ‘Strait?'” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “That would get some of our non-responsive ‘Allies’ in gear, and fast!!!”
The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, with roughly 20 million barrels per day transiting the passage. The U.S. does not depend on it, but China imports 38% of its oil through the strait, followed by India at 15% and Japan, which relies on the passage for 90% of its total crude supply. South Korea is similarly dependent.
Despite that reliance, major European allies have declined to assist the United States in the ongoing conflict with Iran. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated flatly, “We will not do so.” Spain has blocked American forces from using its military bases for operations against Tehran. Italy and Greece have both declined military participation.
French President Emmanuel Macron has been the most vocal in his opposition. After the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iranian targets in late February, Macron called the actions “outside the framework of international law.” On Tuesday, he declared France “will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context,” even as he deployed the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the region under what he described as a separate “European-led” mission independent of U.S. command.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom would not be drawn into “the wider war.” Only Poland and the Baltic states have offered firm political backing for the American position, citing Iran’s military ties to Russia.
The lack of allied cooperation has pushed regional oil exporters to seek workarounds. Saudi Arabia has expanded its East-West Pipeline capacity to 7 million barrels per day, though export capacity at the Red Sea port of Yanbu is capped at 3 to 4 million barrels per day. The UAE’s ADCOP pipeline to Fujairah handles a maximum of 1.8 million barrels per day but has faced drone threats. Iraq, which recently resumed limited exports through Turkey at 250,000 barrels per day, remains largely cut off.
Those alternatives fall far short of covering the 20 million barrels that typically move through the strait each day, leaving dependent nations with few good options if U.S. protection were reduced or withdrawn.
