WASHINGTON, United States — March 20, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized several NATO member states this week, accusing them of lacking resolve after they declined to participate in a proposed multinational security force in the Strait of Hormuz, according to comments released by the White House and confirmed by senior administration officials.
Speaking during a closed‑door meeting with congressional leaders, Trump reportedly described certain European allies as “cowards” for refusing to commit naval assets to the U.S.-led initiative aimed at safeguarding commercial shipping in the strategic waterway. A senior administration official, who spoke on background because they were not authorized to discuss internal deliberations, said the president expressed frustration that “the burden keeps falling on the United States.”
The White House did not dispute the remarks when asked by reporters. Instead, a spokesperson said the president “has been clear for years that NATO members must take greater responsibility for global security challenges, including threats to international trade routes.”
The proposed security mission follows months of heightened tensions in the Gulf, where commercial vessels have faced harassment and occasional seizures by Iranian forces. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, with roughly one‑fifth of global oil shipments passing through it.
Several European governments acknowledged receiving Washington’s request for support but said they preferred diplomatic engagement over military escalation. Germany’s foreign ministry stated that it “does not believe additional naval deployments will contribute to de‑escalation,” while Italy emphasized that any mission would require “broad international consensus and a clear legal mandate.”
NATO officials, speaking from Brussels, stressed that the alliance had not been formally asked to coordinate the operation. “Individual member states may choose to participate or not, but this is not a NATO mission,” a spokesperson said.
Security analysts note that the disagreement reflects long‑standing tensions between Washington and some European capitals over burden‑sharing and strategic priorities. “This is part of a broader pattern,” said Dr. Lena Hartwell, a defense policy researcher at King’s College London. “European governments are wary of being drawn into confrontations they believe could spiral, while the U.S. wants visible support to deter further Iranian actions.”
Despite the president’s criticism, U.S. officials say the administration still hopes to assemble a coalition of willing partners from both NATO and non‑NATO countries. Discussions are ongoing with the United Kingdom, Australia, and several Gulf states, all of which have previously contributed to maritime security operations in the region.
As of Friday, no final decision has been announced on the mission’s structure, timeline, or participating nations.