Days after the U.S. president urged NATO nations to “lead” in sending warships to the Strait amid Iran’s retaliatory blockade causing a global energy crisis, Trump reinforced his stance Wednesday night, telling POLITICO: “They gotta get guts and go in.”
A meeting summary from the U.K. stated that participants agreed to heighten international pressure, “including through the UN, to convey clear and coordinated messages to Iran allowing free transit through the Strait of Hormuz and rejecting any imposition of tolls on vessels passing through.”
It included plans to examine “coordinated economic and political measures, such as sanctions” to intensify pressure on Tehran if the Strait remains blocked.
Discussions also included “arrangements to support greater market and operational confidence,” with emphasis on enhancing information sharing with shipping operators and industry bodies.
However, the 90-minute call highlighted reluctance among those on Trump’s wishlist to use military force in the Strait amidst ongoing conflict.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, leading the call, assured that military planners would convene “to consider how we marshal our collective defensive military capabilities,” including de-mining missions. She clarified this would only be considered “once the conflict eases.” Post-conflict military planning hasn’t commenced yet, but an initial meeting is scheduled for Tuesday.
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