WSJ: Multiple Countries Form Hormuz Strait Escort Coalition, Trump Threatens NATO "Non-Participants Will Have It Very Bad"

According to reports, the Trump administration is expected to announce this week that multiple countries have agreed to form a coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring the security of this critical global oil route. The Financial Times pointed out that Trump has directly pressured NATO, implying that allies who refuse to participate will face diplomatic consequences.
(Background: Trump calls on China, Japan, South Korea, UK, France: Send warships to guard the Strait of Hormuz, US military to escort?)
(Additional context: Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, firing on more than ten oil tankers! Trump warns: Tolerating rising oil prices for now, teaming up with Germany and Israel to counter Iran.)

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• Many countries are cautious; Germany explicitly refuses
• Trump confronts NATO: No effort, no future talks
• Trump warns: No ruling out strikes on Iran’s oil facilities

U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal that the Trump administration is likely to announce this week that several countries have agreed to join the Hormuz Strait escort coalition to help protect ships navigating along Iran’s coast. However, there are still disagreements on when to start the escort operation—whether before the U.S.-Iran military conflict ends or after the conflict subsides. The White House declined to comment, stating that the announcement may be adjusted based on battlefield developments.

Many countries are cautious; Germany explicitly refuses

Although the outline of the escort coalition is gradually taking shape, many nations remain very cautious about deploying military resources during ongoing hostilities. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock explicitly stated in a public statement on March 15 that Germany will not participate in any international military operations to protect ships in the Strait of Hormuz, explicitly rejecting the move to avoid triggering a domino effect among allies.

The core of this diplomatic standoff lies in how countries balance strategic interests with political risks. The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20% of global seaborne oil trade daily. European countries are far more dependent on Persian Gulf energy than the U.S., and if the route is blocked, Europe will be hit hardest, not the U.S. itself.

Trump confronts NATO: No effort, no future talks

In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump’s tone grew more aggressive. He directly pointed out Europe’s energy dependence: “Those who benefit from the Strait should help ensure it doesn’t get disrupted.” He emphasized that Europe relies heavily on oil from the Persian Gulf, while the U.S. has already reduced this dependence.

When asked about the consequences if allies refuse to cooperate, Trump did not shy away from warning: “If there’s no response, or if the response is negative, I think it will be very bad for NATO’s future.” This was seen as a direct pressure on European allies, linking the Hormuz issue with NATO’s survival prospects.

Specifically, Trump called on allies to provide “any necessary assistance,” highlighting that Europe has more mine-sweeping ships than the U.S. He further hinted that he hopes Europe will send special forces or other ground troops to directly intervene and eliminate threats from Iranian drones and mines deployed in the Persian Gulf.

Trump warns: No ruling out strikes on Iran’s oil facilities

Beyond diplomatic pressure, Trump issued a military warning, stating that the U.S. is prepared to launch a new wave of strikes against Iran’s Kharg Island, a key hub for Iranian oil exports, and possibly extend targets to broader Iranian oil infrastructure. Analysts suggest that such strikes could cause severe shocks to global oil prices, accelerate inflation, and significantly impact the risk sentiment in the cryptocurrency market.

The situation remains highly fluid, and the final composition and actions of the escort coalition will largely depend on diplomatic negotiations in the coming days.