NATO's Rutte told allies Trump wants Hormuz commitments within days, diplomats say

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte informed several European capitals on Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump is demanding concrete commitments within days for allied assistance in securing the Strait of Hormuz, according to two European diplomats who spoke to Reuters. This urgent request followed a meeting between Rutte and Trump in Washington on Wednesday, set against a backdrop of severe alliance tensions over the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Iran. The demand underscores Trump's long-standing frustration with what he perceives as insufficient European support for American-led security efforts, a grievance he has recently amplified by threatening U.S. withdrawal from NATO and labeling the alliance a "paper tiger." The diplomatic briefing reveals a critical juncture for the 32-member alliance. While European allies have expressed a desire to be "helpful in seeking longer-term solutions for Hormuz," they are also pushing back on the unilateral nature of U.S. actions. One diplomat pointedly noted, "We note the frustration in Washington, but they did not consult allies either before or after starting this war." Rutte, often described as a "Trump whisperer" for his diplomatic rapport with the U.S. president, acknowledged Trump's disappointment in a CNN interview, stating, "I can see his point." However, he also clarified that "NATO as such would not play a role in the war against Iran," indicating a clear European red line against direct military involvement in that conflict. Parallel to the high-pressure diplomacy from Washington, a separate multinational effort is underway to address the strategic chokepoint. Britain is leading a coalition of approximately 40 countries developing a military and diplomatic plan to reopen and safeguard the strait, with French President Emmanuel Macron stating about 15 nations are planning to facilitate the resumption of traffic. However, significant obstacles remain. European officials, including France's foreign minister, argue that a full reopening is contingent on a lasting U.S.-Iran agreement, while also rejecting Iran's proposal to impose a transit toll. A third European diplomat emphasized that the European track on Hormuz is "largely unrelated" to the White House meeting, signaling a deliberate, if urgent, multilateral approach distinct from Trump's demands for immediate pledges. The core challenge, as summarized by the diplomat, is not merely "to please the U.S." but to establish "the right conditions" for a stable solution.