German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Monday rejected demands by US President Donald Trump for military support in the war against Iran and downplayed threats that such a stance by allies would hurt NATO.
“What does (…) Donald Trump expect a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful US navy cannot do?” he said in Berlin.
“This is not our war, we have not started it.”
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 16, 2026
What does Trump expect a handful of European frigates to do that the powerful US Navy cannot?
This is not our war, and we did not start it. pic.twitter.com/ZNJDkbfepw
Asked about Trump’s warning that NATO faces a “very bad” future if its members fail to come to Washington’s aid, Pistorius said he did not anticipate NATO to fall apart over these differences.
Earlier, Trump warned NATO allies they face a “very bad future” if they refuse to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, pressing Europe to support an American effort to reopen the key maritime corridor.
In an interview with the Financial Times published Sunday, Trump said countries benefiting from oil shipments through the Gulf should help safeguard the waterway.
Trump warns Nato faces ‘very bad future’ if allies fail to help US in Iran https://t.co/utDHYAj0hq
— Financial Times (@FT) March 15, 2026
Source: Agencies