US President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Western allies for not being 'enthusiastic enough' to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas flow.
Trump's comments came after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, sparking a massive exchange of drones and missiles that has largely shut down the Strait.
Several US partners, including Germany, Spain, UK, and Italy, indicated they had no immediate plans to send ships to help reopen the waterway, citing a lack of mandate from the United Nations, European Union, or NATO.
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Washington and Israel had not consulted Germany before launching the war, while the UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his country would not be drawn into the wider war.
Trump criticized the UK prime minister, saying he was 'very surprised' that the UK did not want to deploy two aircraft carriers two weeks ago.
However, the UK is exploring whether it could help by deploying autonomous mine-hunting drones alongside other US allies.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for member states to consider expanding their Aspides naval mission to help reopen the Strait, but Italy does not seem to be in favour of repurposing the mission.
