Trump is upset after allies reject call for warships in Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV/DUBAI — Several key U.S. allies have declined a call by Donald Trump to deploy naval vessels to escort commercial shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, as the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran enters its third week.

The narrow waterway, through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass, has been largely disrupted by the hostilities, fueling concerns over rising global energy prices and inflation.

According to officials, countries including Germany, Spain, and Italy said they currently have no plans to send warships to help secure shipping lanes in the Gulf. The reluctance prompted criticism from Trump, who expressed disappointment with some long-standing partners that host large numbers of U.S. troops.

“Some are very enthusiastic about it, and some aren’t,” Trump said during a news conference in Washington. “Some are countries that we’ve helped for many, many years… and they weren’t that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm matters to me.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz explained that Berlin lacks the necessary mandate under its Basic Law to join a military operation without authorization from bodies such as the United Nations, the European Union, or NATO. He added that Germany had not been consulted before Washington and Tel Aviv launched the campaign against Iran.

“That is why the question of how Germany might become militarily involved here does not arise,” Merz said.

Israel prepares for extended military campaign

Israeli officials signaled that the conflict may continue for weeks. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, told reporters that detailed operational plans are in place for at least the next three weeks.

Israel has been targeting Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure, nuclear-related facilities, and security apparatus in a bid to weaken Tehran’s military capabilities.

“We want to make sure that they are as weak as possible… and that we degrade all their capabilities,” Shoshani said, adding that Israel still has “thousands” of potential targets in Iran.

Iranian retaliation spreads across the region

Meanwhile, Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that it would strike U.S.-linked industrial sites across the Middle East and urged residents living near American-owned facilities to evacuate.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had neither requested a ceasefire nor exchanged messages with Washington. In a statement posted on social media, he also accused some neighboring states that host U.S. forces of encouraging attacks on Iran.

Iranian officials reported significant civilian casualties from recent air strikes, claiming that about 200 children were among the hundreds killed since the start of the conflict. Overnight strikes in Iran’s Markazi province reportedly left five people dead and several others injured, according to Iranian media.

Israeli forces confirmed conducting air strikes in several Iranian cities including Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz. One target included the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran, long known for holding political detainees. Israeli officials said the operation was carried out “in a precise manner” to limit harm to inmates.

However, a United Nations investigation previously concluded that an Israeli strike on the same facility last year killed 80 people, including women and a child, and could constitute a war crime.

Regional disruptions and economic concerns

The conflict has also triggered disruptions across the Gulf region. Drone attacks linked to Iran temporarily forced the suspension of flights at Dubai International Airport after a nearby fuel storage facility was struck, sending plumes of smoke into the sky.

Oil loading operations were also halted at the port of Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates following a drone strike. Fujairah serves as a major export outlet for the UAE’s Murban crude, accounting for roughly one percent of global oil demand.

Saudi authorities reported intercepting 34 drones over the eastern region of Saudi Arabia within a single hour. No injuries were reported.

Despite the escalating violence, global markets showed signs of stabilization after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington was willing to allow some Iranian fuel vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. He also noted that tankers from India and China were believed to have successfully transited the strait.

Still, uncertainty remains high as fighting continues. In Tehran, residents reported internet disruptions overnight, adding to a growing sense of isolation amid the escalating conflict.

“People are being killed,” said Shahnaz, a 62-year-old resident who spoke to Reuters via WhatsApp. “Just days before Nowruz, people are not in the mood to celebrate. When will this end?”