Trump called alliance members ‘cowards’ for not wanting ‘to help open’ the strait of Hormuz; more than a dozen nations later made vague offer to help – key US politics stories from 20 March at a glance
Several Nato members and other US allied nations pledged on Thursday to join “appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage” through the strait of Hormuz. But the joint statement from the leaders of more than a dozen nations – including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Bahrain – did not provide details on how they would do this.
That followed a recent bashing by Donald Trump, who called alliance members “cowards” for not wanting “to help open” the strait of Hormuz. Iran has effectively closed the strait with periodic attacks on oil tankers and other shipping.
This comes as the US is reportedly preparing to send three more warships and thousands more troops to the Middle East. At the same time, Trump says he is considering “winding down” the US war on Iran, which has destabilized global trade and international relations.
As for a ceasefire? The president said no thanks.
