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Trump Slams Allies for Refusing to Help Secure Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran Tensions
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Trump Slams Allies for Refusing to Help Secure Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran Tensions

Elise Hammond, Catherine Nicholls, Samantha Waldenberg, Mitchell McCluskey, Aditi Sangal, Maureen Chowdhury, Adam Cancryn, Zachary Cohen, Sharon Braithwaite, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Oren Liebermann, Kit Maher, Donald Judd, Kevin Liptak, Michael Rios, Tal Shalev, Brad Lendon, Teele Rebane, Dana Karni, Abeer Salman, Ivana Kottasová, Sophia Saifi, David Goldman, Mustafa Qadri, Mostafa Salem, Hanna Ziady, Sebastian Shukla, Leila Gharagozlou, Nadeen Ebrahim, Christian Edwards, Eugenia Yosef, Stephanie Yang, Xiaoqian Lin, Jessie Yeung, Lex Harvey, Laura Sharman, Kaanita Iyer, Hanna Park, Angus Watson, Kocha Olarn, Christina Macfarlane, Sana Noor Haq, Alessandra Freitas, Jeff Zeleny
CNN
2026-03-16T22:29:00Z

EU foreign ministers decided against expanding their naval operations around the Strait of Hormuz, even as President Donald Trump criticized allies who rebuffed his demands for assistance in reopening the critical waterway. Follow for live news updates.

Live updates: Iran war news; Trump criticizes allies who rebuffed his calls to help secure Strait of Hormuz

European Union foreign ministers have declined to expand their naval operations in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, dealing a diplomatic blow to President Donald Trump, who has been pressing allies to contribute military assets to help secure the critical maritime chokepoint. The decision comes amid escalating tensions in the region and growing concerns over the free flow of global oil supplies through one of the world's most strategically important waterways.

Trump responded to the rebuff with sharp criticism, taking aim at allied nations for failing to step up and share the burden of securing the strait. The president has repeatedly argued that countries who depend on oil shipments through the Hormuz corridor should take greater responsibility for ensuring safe passage, rather than relying solely on the United States military to police the waterway. His frustration with what he views as insufficient contributions from partner nations has added a layer of diplomatic strain to an already volatile situation.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of the broader conflict with Iran, with disruptions to shipping lanes threatening to send shockwaves through global energy markets. Military activity in the region has intensified in recent weeks, and the strait's strategic significance has made it a bargaining chip in the ongoing standoff. International observers continue to monitor developments closely as the situation remains fluid and unpredictable.

As the crisis continues to unfold, diplomatic efforts to build a broad coalition for securing the waterway appear to be stalling. The EU's reluctance to deepen its military involvement reflects divisions among Western allies over how best to approach the Iran situation, with some nations favoring diplomatic engagement over military escalation. News organizations are providing live updates as developments emerge, with the international community watching closely for any signs of resolution or further deterioration in the standoff.