March 16, New Delhi — U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday called on NATO allies and China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying Washington is in talks with several nations about policing the critical shipping lane for oil and gas.
The U.S. President on Saturday called on countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and Britain to send ships to escort tankers through the strait, though many responded cautiously.
The U.S. President warned that a lack of response or a negative reply would be “very bad for the future of NATO” and threatened to delay a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this month if Beijing does not assist in reopening the strait.
Trump said that, just as the United States has supported Ukraine in the conflict with Russia, he expects European countries to contribute to securing the Strait of Hormuz.
He added that the United States remains in contact with Iran but expressed doubt that Tehran is ready for serious negotiations, saying, “I don’t think they are.”
Trump’s comments came after Iran warned other countries against becoming involved in the conflict, which has spread across West Asia.
Earlier on Sunday, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed suggestions that Tehran was seeking talks, stating, “We never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked even for negotiation.”
In a phone conversation with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, Araghchi urged other countries to “refrain from any action that could lead to escalation and expansion of the conflict.”
(File Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump)