US President Donald Trump has warned that the future of the NATO alliance could be at risk if member countries do not assist in efforts to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked during the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

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The warning comes as tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East, with renewed military activity involving Israel and armed groups in neighbouring countries.

Allies urged to help secure key shipping route

Trump said US allies must take a more active role in restoring access to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit corridors. Roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments normally pass through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.

Iran’s effective closure of the route following attacks by the United States and Israel has sent energy markets into turmoil and raised concerns about global supply disruptions.

The US president warned that the alliance could face serious consequences if other NATO members fail to support operations aimed at reopening the passage.

Britain working with partners

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom was working with international partners to develop a coordinated response to the crisis.

Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, Starmer said restoring shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz was essential for stabilising global energy markets.

“Ultimately, we have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to ensure stability in the market – that is not a simple task,” he said.

The prime minister added that the government was working with allies, including European partners, to assemble a collective plan aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the region and reducing the economic impact of the conflict.

He did not outline specific measures under consideration.

Energy concerns and domestic support measures

The conflict has already prompted extraordinary steps in response to rising energy costs. Starmer described the recent release of emergency oil reserves as “completely unprecedented" but said such measures alone would not be enough to calm volatile markets.

He also announced a £53 million support package designed to help vulnerable households in Britain who rely on heating oil, marking the first major policy move to address the economic consequences of the widening conflict.

Meanwhile, the situation on the ground in the Middle East remains tense. Israeli forces said they had begun “limited and targeted” ground operations against the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, as the broader regional conflict continues to expand.

Reports have suggested that Iran may have begun laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, potentially complicating any attempt by international forces to reopen the crucial shipping route.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 16.March 2026

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How embarrising this is for the Yanks!! there president asking and threating NATO begging for help !!! "we dont need help we have won the war " so far i belive no takers !!

3 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

How embarrising this is for the Yanks!! there president asking and threating NATO begging for help !!! "we dont need help we have won the war " so far i belive no takers !!

Wait for the MAGAS to wake up.

17 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Wait for the MAGAS to wake up.

I thought they were all in a trance under the smell spell of Trump!

Another military humiliation for America...nothing really new and it's such long before Trump.

By refusing to support Trump, these EU countries have clearly demonstrated that they have capitulated to Islamic terrorists...

26 minutes ago, simon43 said:

By refusing to support Trump, these EU countries have clearly demonstrated that they have capitulated to Islamic terrorists...

So Australia is in Europe?

Nations are now openly mocking america.

Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Monday that Germany would not take part militarily in the conflict. “What does Donald Trump expect from a handful of European frigates in the Strait of Hormuz that the mighty US navy cannot manage alone? This is the question I find myself asking,” he added.

It is all just crazy,after bagging every country,trying to scam them all with tarrifs,trying to take over the world, the village idiot now asking for all countries to help him in the fight against Iran. I know what i would say to the cheif con, go ... yourself.

Trump destroyed Iran's military how often within the last 2 weeks?

And then, after so much winning, he start asking for help?

Not only on Aljazeera you can see how Israel/US start loosing, actually.

What we’re seeing here is not “allied cooperation” — it’s pressure politics dressed up as diplomacy.

The Strait of Hormuz didn’t suddenly become unstable on its own. It became unstable because of a chain of decisions made in Washington that escalated tensions, disrupted existing agreements, and created the very crisis the U.S. is now demanding everyone else help clean up.

And now, after lighting the fuse, Washington turns around and tells its allies: “Well, get in there and fix it.”

Sorry, but that’s not how responsible global leadership works.

No NATO country was under threat until U.S. policy choices manufactured the threat.

Europe wasn’t facing tanker seizures before the U.S. tore up diplomatic frameworks that were actually working.

Asian economies weren’t staring down oil‑route instability until the U.S. unilaterally escalated confrontation.

The UK wouldn’t be scrambling to reopen shipping lanes if the situation hadn’t been pushed to the brink in the first place.

This is the geopolitical equivalent of smashing a neighbour’s window and then demanding they pay for the replacement because “it’s in everyone’s interest.”

It’s coercion, plain and simple!

If Washington’s actions created the instability, then Washington should be the one to stabilise it.

Allies shouldn’t be strong‑armed into underwriting the consequences of decisions they didn’t make and didn’t support.

The message back should be simple:

“You broke it. You fix it! ”

Because until that principle is respected, “alliance” becomes a one‑way street where others pay the bill for choices made by Trump, and that’s not a sustainable model for global security, trade, or diplomacy.

So, Trump unilaterally starts a war that inevitably leads to the closing of the Strait of Hormuz.

and AFTER they close, tells other countries to send ships – was he wrong-footed? Did he seriously not anticipate this? Surely if he had, he would have told his "allies" what he intended and asked for their support before he started the war?

15 minutes ago, Jim Waldron said:

What we’re seeing here is not “allied cooperation” — it’s pressure politics dressed up as diplomacy.

The Strait of Hormuz didn’t suddenly become unstable on its own. It became unstable because of a chain of decisions made in Washington that escalated tensions, disrupted existing agreements, and created the very crisis the U.S. is now demanding everyone else help clean up.

And now, after lighting the fuse, Washington turns around and tells its allies: “Well, get in there and fix it.”

Sorry, but that’s not how responsible global leadership works.

No NATO country was under threat until U.S. policy choices manufactured the threat.

Europe wasn’t facing tanker seizures before the U.S. tore up diplomatic frameworks that were actually working.

Asian economies weren’t staring down oil‑route instability until the U.S. unilaterally escalated confrontation.

The UK wouldn’t be scrambling to reopen shipping lanes if the situation hadn’t been pushed to the brink in the first place.

This is the geopolitical equivalent of smashing a neighbour’s window and then demanding they pay for the replacement because “it’s in everyone’s interest.”

It’s coercion, plain and simple!

If Washington’s actions created the instability, then Washington should be the one to stabilise it.

Allies shouldn’t be strong‑armed into underwriting the consequences of decisions they didn’t make and didn’t support.

The message back should be simple:

“You broke it. You fix it! ”

Because until that principle is respected, “alliance” becomes a one‑way street where others pay the bill for choices made by Trump, and that’s not a sustainable model for global security, trade, or diplomacy.

He's seriously miscalculated. In the last war, the British had a fleet of minesweepers in the region – that doesn't exist. I guess he doesn't know that.

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

By refusing to support Trump, these EU countries have clearly demonstrated that they have capitulated to Islamic terrorists...

What a brilliant comment!! – it clearly shows how stupid MAGA can be.

The British Navy will clear the Hormuz Strait.

The Americans can't. They don't know how to... He's asking for warships – they are totally ineffective protecting oil tankers against mines.

THere has to be effective mine clearance – only the British navy can do that.

3 hours ago, still kicking said:

So Australia is in Europe?

I didnt know that Australia was part of NATO. You learn something new every day.

Israel still hasn't offered even a token flotilla of ships to help on escort duties.

Until 2022, Israel purchased oil from Russia, then pivoted to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. It might as well buy from Russian, because most of that Kazakh oil is via Russia, with kick backs for the war machine.

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

He's seriously miscalculated. In the last war, the British had a fleet of minesweepers in the region – that doesn't exist. I guess he doesn't know that.

The Royal Navy minesweepers left in January this year, and are long overdue refits in the UK. The Harrier autonomous minesweeper remains in Bahrain. Britain has minesweepers in service, but they are needed for Faslane.

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

The British Navy will clear the Hormuz Strait.

The Americans can't. They don't know how to... He's asking for warships – they are totally ineffective protecting oil tankers against mines.

THere has to be effective mine clearance – only the British navy can do that.

The Avenger Minesweepers were pulled out lat September, and have been scrapped. The Independance class LCSs are supposed to carry out minesweeping, using a mine hunting module. Unlike the Avengers and Hunt class ships, the LCSs are at best stand off minesweepers, because they have hulls that can become magnetized. Their autonomous capability depends on line of sight, so doesn't work when there are waves (a Starlink mod apparently gives a shonky capability). And their sensors can't work in turbid water, which is most of the time in the Straits).

Their Navy does know how to clear the Straits, but their leadership has deprived them of the tools because of basically the corruption involved in the procurement of the LCSs.

5 hours ago, simon43 said:

By refusing to support Trump, these EU countries have clearly demonstrated that they have capitulated to Islamic terrorists...

No. They've showed common sense by COLLECTIVELY refusing to blindly join this ill-conceived military action and not being cowed by the irrational chest thumping of an ageing buffoon and his joke of a war minister.

3 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

The Avenger Minesweepers were pulled out lat September, and have been scrapped. The Independance class LCSs are supposed to carry out minesweeping, using a mine hunting module. Unlike the Avengers and Hunt class ships, the LCSs are at best stand off minesweepers, because they have hulls that can become magnetized. Their autonomous capability depends on line of sight, so doesn't work when there are waves (a Starlink mod apparently gives a shonky capability). And their sensors can't work in turbid water, which is most of the time in the Straits).

Their Navy does know how to clear the Straits, but their leadership has deprived them of the tools because of basically the corruption involved in the procurement of the LCSs.

https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navys-last-gulf-minehunter-hms-middleton-has-returned-to-uk/

Trump thought (or thinks) that warships can protect the oil tankers by escorting them through the Strait – he's totally deluded. He's sacked all the people who could advise him and now his "short" operation has turned into a lingering, festering wound.

59 minutes ago, kwilco said:

https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navys-last-gulf-minehunter-hms-middleton-has-returned-to-uk/

Trump thought (or thinks) that warships can protect the oil tankers by escorting them through the Strait – he's totally deluded. He's sacked all the people who could advise him and now his "short" operation has turned into a lingering, festering wound.

It was no longer seaworthy, and is in for a refurb. The RN has the Harrier system in place in Bahrain.

https://www.mcdoa.org.uk/Minewarfare_and_Diving_Magazine_2025.pdf

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-10257/CBP-10257.pdf

The Hunt class are expected to remain in service until 2031. The Hunt class optimisation programme has introduced shorter and more focused maintenance periods rather than lengthy docking periods to maximise the availability of ships for operations. Navy Lookout says this programme has “delivered measurable gains”, improving energy efficiency and day-to-day

reliability, and improved morale among sailors with better internet connection and more comfortable living spaces. HMS Brocklesby is expected to return to the active fleet in 2026 after lengthy delays to its maintenance schedule.

Several vessels have been permanently deployed in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Kipion, to clear mines and protect shipping in the area. Crews are rotated from the UK rather than permanently based in the region. HMS Chiddingfold, HMS Middleton, HMS Bangor have been based in Bahrain.

However, in January 2024 Chiddingfold and Bangor collided while in harbour in Bahrain. HMS Bangor began repairs in dry dock in mid-2024. Navy Lookout subsequently reported that it “will not return to operations in Bahrain”.

In April 2025, HMS Chiddingfold returned to Portsmouth for scheduled maintenance. In November 2025, Navy Lookout reported the ship will not return to the Gulf, explaining that “as part of the wider effort to sustain the class, HMS Chiddingfold has not been officially decommissioned but laid up in ‘extended readiness’, essentially as a parts donor for her sister ships”.

Luke Pollard, the Minister for Readiness and Industry, declined to provide out of service dates for individual mine counter measure vessels when asked to do so in a written parliamentary question in October 2025.

Imagine... a leader so incompetent that he attacks a country that controls a quarter of the World's oil supply without any planning for the gas shortages now being experienced.
To make matters even more absurd, he's now asking other countries to fix the problem for him! The same countries that were chaffing under his illegal tariffs!

America needs leadership, not a deadly clown show. It's time to really drain the swamp.

Hang your head in shame Yanks, you have elected in a moron the world is laughing at you!!!!

7 hours ago, kwilco said:

So, Trump unilaterally starts a war that inevitably leads to the closing of the Strait of Hormuz.

and AFTER they close, tells other countries to send ships – was he wrong-footed? Did he seriously not anticipate this? Surely if he had, he would have told his "allies" what he intended and asked for their support before he started the war?

This president is a little different,he acts on feelings,not facts.

It is all slowly starting to crumble for him and his band of ignorant arrogant bandits.

Soon this government will implode,that is if there is any justice left in the world.

11 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Hang your head in shame Yanks, you have elected in a moron the world is laughing at you!!!!

Absolutely! It seems that the only ones who don't realize that the whole world is laughing at them are those in office.

Of course, they are laughing all the way to the bank...

Let's sing... (to the tune of 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight.')
In the White House, the mighty White House, the liar tweets tonight... Oh votehimout, votehimout, votehimout.

7 minutes ago, jvs said:

This president is a little different,he acts on feelings,not facts.

It is all slowly starting to crumble for him and his band of ignorant arrogant bandits.

Soon this government will implode,that is if there is any justice left in the world.

The Yanks have made one hell of a mistake in electing Trump and yet they cannot see it, for them (the yanks) the worst is yet to come when the yanks try to get rid of him at the midterm or when his term ends, he will not go!!! Trump is a authoritarian leader ( Authoritarianism is a form of government or social structure characterized by the concentration of power in a leader or elite, demanding blind submission, restricting civil liberties, and suppressing opposition

. It differs from democracy by rejecting pluralism and often uses surveillance, media control, and violence to maintain control, though it may lack a fully developed ideology. ) The YANKS NEED TO OPEN THERE EYES

I say let him ask his "board of peace!"

What is another few billion between friends right?

Or just maybe they also realize they have been had?

What is next Cuba?

25 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

The Yanks have made one hell of a mistake in electing Trump and yet they cannot see it, for them (the yanks) the worst is yet to come when the yanks try to get rid of him at the midterm or when his term ends, he will not go!!! Trump is a authoritarian leader ( Authoritarianism is a form of government or social structure characterized by the concentration of power in a leader or elite, demanding blind submission, restricting civil liberties, and suppressing opposition

. It differs from democracy by rejecting pluralism and often uses surveillance, media control, and violence to maintain control, though it may lack a fully developed ideology. ) The YANKS NEED TO OPEN THERE EYES

For sure,just have a look at the latest economy numbers,not looking good,in fact a GDP growth

of 0.7% is not winning in my book but i am sure maga will spin it into something positive.

Awww come on guys it’s not nice to make fun of the intellectually challenged….why how could any reasonable person deny poor Donnie….after all he broke a signed agreement with verification killed one of their generals traveling under diplomatic immunity….sneak attacked another country as negotiations were in progress….does a day in December ring a bell??all without congressional approval….now he’s threatening NATO because he’s to obtuse to understand its charter…..thanks magga!!!obvious sarcasm alert.just wow