US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning that the future of NATO is in jeopardy, calling it "very bad," unless member countries contribute to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. This statement is currently a significant topic of discussion at the EU foreign ministers' gathering in Brussels.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint, with roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas flows passing through it. Iran has tightened its control over the Strait since February 28, barring safe passage for vessels linked to Israel and the United States following a joint strike on Iranian territory. Iran is also proposing to charge transit fees for ships, although it assures "friendly" nations will receive special treatment.
Trump's comments highlight growing international concern over the security and accessibility of the Strait, particularly amidst heightened tensions between the US and Iran following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli strike on February 28. The US-Iran agreement that ended hostilities initially allowed commercial ships free passage for 60 days, but new arrangements are being negotiated between Iran and Oman regarding future transit fees.
