Donald Trump has sharply criticized the United Kingdom and NATO allies, arguing they failed to act quickly enough in allowing US forces to use British bases for strikes on Iran, as tensions escalate in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking after London approved the use of its military facilities for US-led raids targeting Iranian missile sites, Trump said the UK “should have acted a lot faster,” signaling frustration over what he sees as hesitation among key allies.
The decision came after emergency talks among UK ministers, with Downing Street emphasizing that any involvement would fall under “collective self-defence.” British officials were quick to stress that the move does not mean the UK is entering a broader war with Iran.
Trump, however, widened his criticism beyond the UK, targeting NATO partners more broadly. In a post on Truth Social, he accused allies of benefiting from US security guarantees while failing to take meaningful action in the Gulf.
He argued that reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint, would be a “simple military maneuver” and blamed allied inaction for rising oil prices. “They complain about high oil prices but don’t want to help,” he wrote, calling them “cowards” in unusually blunt language.
The remarks highlight growing divisions within the Western alliance as the crisis in the Middle East deepens. While Washington appears ready to escalate militarily to secure shipping lanes, European capitals remain cautious, wary of being drawn into a wider regional conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant share of global oil shipments, making any disruption a direct threat to energy markets and global economic stability. Trump’s comments suggest increasing pressure on allies to take a more active role as the situation continues to evolve.