【By Observer News, Chen Sijia】 With the continued disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, international oil prices remain high. U.S. President Trump, who ordered an invasion of Iran, is furious and has tried to drag the entire NATO into the conflict. However, facing Trump's threats, other NATO countries have shown a cold response and do not want to get involved in the war in the Middle East.

According to a report by the Süddeutsche Zeitung on March 16, after Trump requested NATO allies to assist in restoring navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the German government responded, stating that NATO should not play a role in escorting. German officials pointed out that this war has nothing to do with NATO, which is a "defensive alliance" and has no reason to authorize forces to participate in military operations in the Middle East.

On March 15, Trump told the Financial Times that if allies are indifferent to helping the United States reopen the Strait of Hormuz, NATO would face a "very bad future." He claimed that Europe is a major beneficiary of the Strait of Hormuz navigation and "should help ensure that nothing untoward happens there."

In response to these remarks, Stefan Zoller, a spokesperson for the German government, said at a press conference on March 16 that the German government had noted Trump's statements about NATO but would not participate in a military action against Iran. He said, "This war has nothing to do with NATO. It is not NATO's war."

Zoller stated that NATO is a "defensive alliance responsible for defending member states' territories" and would not authorize the deployment of forces for this war.

March 3, U.S. President Trump met with German Chancellor Merkel at the White House, IC photo

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also made similar statements. He emphasized, "This is not our war, and we did not start it. We hope to resolve the issue through diplomatic means and quickly end the conflict. Further deployment of warships in the region may not help achieve this goal."

Pistorius said, "We have responsibilities towards the eastern flank of NATO and the Atlantic region, especially considering Germany's own geopolitical position. This is our top priority." When asked about Trump's warning that NATO members would face a "very bad future," Pistorius said he did not think NATO would disintegrate over these differences.

He also clearly stated that the EU's "Shield" (Aspides) escort operation in the Red Sea will be expanded, but this cannot serve as a basis for actions in the Strait of Hormuz. The "Shield" operation is an EU naval escort mission launched in the Red Sea in 2024, aimed at protecting ships from attacks by the Yemeni Houthi rebels, with its duration extended until February 28, 2027.

After the U.S. and Israel launched a military attack on Iran, shipping in the Strait of Hormuz was blocked, leading to a surge in international oil prices. U.S. efforts to open the strait have largely failed, and international oil prices rose to over $106 per barrel on the evening of March 15.

Despite Trump's loud calls to bring more countries into the conflict, the U.S. itself has not yet dispatched navy ships to escort vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. According to a report by the National Public Radio (NPR), U.S. allies are generally cautious, fearing that deploying warships could lead them into the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy stated on March 16 that she discussed with UN Secretary-General Guterres how to open the Strait of Hormuz, saying, "Maintaining the openness of the Strait of Hormuz is in our interest, so we are discussing what measures Europe can take." British Prime Minister Starmer also rejected Trump's request, emphasizing that the UK is working with allies to develop a plan to restore shipping, but this will not be the task of NATO.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7617846873026331170/

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