On Monday (16), several European countries recently rejected US President Donald Trump’s request to engage in military operations against Iran and help patrol the Strait of Hormuz. Among those who refused were Germany, Italy, Greece and the United Kingdom.
The German Defense Minister stated that “this is not our war”, while the British Prime Minister highlighted that he will not participate in the offensive against Iran and defended the search for a quick solution to the conflict.
Trump had been pressing European allies and NATO members to send military ships and help keep the strait passage open. The region is strategic, as vessels responsible for approximately 20% of the world’s transportation of oil and natural gas transit through it.
Iran, in turn, claims that the strait is closed only to enemy vessels, keeping the passage open for other countries.
