25. March 2026

Trump’s ‘Absurdly Incoherent’ Iran Pleas Leave Allies Scrambling

WASHINGTON-- Confusion over President Donald Trump’s demands for allied support in his war against Iran has stalled early efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to multiple European officials.

The United States has not made any formal requests for military equipment or assistance, four European government officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic talks. At the same time, several allies are hesitant to deploy forces to the region, citing concerns they could become targets of Iranian retaliation.

More than 30 countries — including most NATO members — have pledged to make “appropriate efforts” to restore shipping through the vital trade route. But discussions remain in preliminary stages, officials from seven European governments said.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius underscored the uncertainty on Tuesday, calling for greater clarity from Washington.

“One would wish for more predictability, more clarity and more strategic foresight — not only in this case,” Pistorius told reporters. “Let’s wait and see.”

The slow pace of coordination reflects mixed signals from Trump more than three weeks into the conflict. The president has criticized allies for not offering support, at one point calling them “cowards,” while also suggesting their help may not be necessary and providing few specifics on how they could contribute.

The hesitation among European governments also highlights a broader shift in transatlantic relations, with some countries taking a more assertive stance toward Washington over a conflict they say they were not consulted on.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Tuesday that the war violates international law.

“There is little doubt that, in any case, the justification of an imminent attack on the U.S. does not hold water,” he said.

Some officials also pointed to what they see as conflicting U.S. expectations. Washington has long urged European nations to focus on defending their own region and supporting Ukraine, while now pressing them to consider deployments to the Middle East.

“The big picture is that the U.S. has asked us to take care of defending our own countries and supporting Ukraine — and now the Middle East and global supply chains,” one senior European official said. “It is, to put it mildly, incoherent.”

A White House official declined to address specific requests to allies but said the administration was prepared for Iran’s attempts to disrupt shipping.

“The U.S. military is focused on eliminating Iran’s ability to interfere with the free flow of energy,” the official said, adding that Trump is confident the strait will reopen soon.

In the absence of clear guidance from Washington, allied contributions have so far been limited to diplomatic coordination, public statements and planning discussions.

The United Kingdom, working with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, is organizing a security summit in the coming weeks to maintain momentum. G7 foreign ministers are also expected to discuss Iran and maritime security at a meeting near Paris on Friday, according to a French diplomat.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is encouraged by allied engagement so far.

“It’s common sense for President Trump to call on our NATO allies to step up,” she said Sunday. “We’re already starting to see them answer the president’s call.”

Military analysts say European countries could play a meaningful role if talks progress. Naval forces could help escort commercial vessels through the strait, while several European nations possess significant mine-clearing capabilities — an area where the U.S. is relatively limited.

Still, officials caution that any deployment would likely depend on a reduction in hostilities.

“There has to be at least some decrease in the scale of combat operations before we can secure the strait,” a British defense official said.

For now, European governments remain reluctant to go further without clearer direction from Washington.

“Allies do not agree with being drawn into a war we did not start, without knowing what the U.S. intends to do,” one NATO diplomat said. “At this point, we are holding our position.”