U.S. President Donald Trump warned NATO allies of “very bad” consequences if the military alliance — which incorporates Canada — doesn’t help him secure the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran for the reason that start of the war, in a newspaper interview published Sunday.
“It’s only appropriate that people who find themselves the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to ensure that that nothing bad happens there,” Trump told the Financial Times.
“If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response I believe it’ll be very bad for the long run of NATO.”
The U.S. was hitting Iran “very hard,” Trump said.
“They’ve got nothing left but to make a little bit trouble within the Strait … these individuals are beneficiaries they usually must help us police it,” he said, adding that “China should help too,” citing China’s energy dependence on oil from the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz after the US and Israel launched attacks against Iran greater than two weeks ago, which kicked off an ongoing wave of repeated Iranian strikes across the Middle East and into neighbouring Gulf states.
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A couple of fifth of world oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage of water between Iran and Oman.
Trump also warned Washington could launch further strikes on Kharg Island, Iran’s predominant oil export hub, saying U.S. forces could goal its oil infrastructure if needed.
“We will hit that in five minutes,” he said. “And there’s not a thing they will do about it.”
Trump also criticized Britain’s response after speaking with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“The U.K. may be considered the primary ally … and once I asked for them to return, they didn’t want to return,” Trump told the Financial Times, adding that Britain only offered to send ships after the U.S. had already reduced Iran’s military capabilities.
Each Prime Minister Mark Carney and Defence Minister David McGuinty have said that Canada has no intention of participating in U.S.-led military operations in Iran.
“Canada was not consulted, didn’t participate, and has no plans to take part in the offensive actions against Iran which can be being undertaken by the U.S. and Israel,” a PMO readout stated last week.
Carney had previously said the query around Canada’s potential future involvement is a “fundamental hypothetical,” adding the conflict can spread very broadly.
“One can never categorically rule out participation,” he said during his trip to Australia earlier this month.
— With files from Reuters
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