Yossi Schwartz ISL (RCIT section in Israel/Occupied Palestine) 17.03.2026
Donald Trump demanded that several nations—specifically those most reliant on Middle Eastern crude like China — send warships to help the U.S. and Israel reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway that has been closed by Iran causing Brent crude oil prices to soar above $100 per barrel.
Trump explicitly called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to join a naval war against Iran. He argued these countries are the primary “beneficiaries” of the strait; for instance, China receives roughly 90% of its oil through the passage while the U.S. receives a minimal amount. Trump warned that the NATO alliance faces a “very bad future” if members fail to assist the U.S. in this effort.
He said it would be “interesting to see what country wouldn’t help us with a very small endeavor” after the U.S. supported them in Ukraine.Trump suggested he might postpone a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping if Beijing does not assist in securing the channel.
As of the time this article is written the international response has been largely negative. The European Union and major NATO allies have rejected Trump’s demand to join a naval coalition in the Strait of Hormuz, primarily because they view the conflict as a U.S.-initiated war and refused to be drawn into a wider, open-ended regional escalation.
Following a meeting in Brussels on March 16, 2026, the EU cited several key reasons for their refusal. EU officials have explicitly distanced themselves from the hostilities that began on February 28, 2026. The EU is angry with Trump because the allies were not consulted before the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated, “This is not our war; we did not start it,”.
Greece and Germany have opposed Trump’s demand, arguing that there is no legal mandate for such a high-intensity conflict.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s office said: “Germany does not have a mandate for such military offensive intervention. “
The EU has demanded that the Trump administration clarify its long-term strategic goals and “exit plan” for the war before they consider any form of assistance. They are also angry about the threats from Trump regarding the future of the NATO alliance.
Germany, Australia, Greece, Poland, and Japan have publicly stated they have no plans to send warships. Germany’s defense minister stated, “This is not our war; we did not start it”.
Keir Starmer the PM of the Labor government of the United Kingdom is considering sending mine-hunting drones rather than manned warships to avoid being drawn into a wider conflict. Trump expressed frustration with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling the UK’s initial refusal “terrible”.
While the strait remains closed as Iran has threatened to “set ablaze” any vessels from “hostile” nations (the U.S., Israel, and their allies), Iran is allowing passage for ships from “friendly” nations, specifically those with Chinese ownership or crews.
At least 16 to 21 tankers have been attacked by Iranian drones, missiles, or mines since the conflict began.
On March 16, Trump, known as a liar, claimed that “numerous countries” are now “on their way” to assist, though he declined to name them. To date, no country has officially confirmed its involvement in the coalition.
As the price of oil is growing sharply, the opposition of the American population is growing from the first day of this dirty war. Not only by the liberals and the left but even within the Republican party.
While the western European states are imperialists and we do not support them, the rejection of the EU to join the dirty war of Israel and the US, serves the interest of the international working class, and we welcome their refusal to assist Trump, because we want to see the defeat of the US and Israel.