Despite verbal attacks by Donald Trump against allies and his insistence that the United States could reopen the Strait of Hormuz on its own, reports indicate that his administration is seeking to build an international coalition to do so.
Sources say the U.S. has launched a new effort to help move ships through the critical waterway, which has been blocked by Iran.
The initiative, dubbed “Maritime Freedom Construction,” would see allies coordinate diplomatic and economic actions against Iran while sharing information to ensure safe transit.
This effort would complement “maritime planning efforts led by the United Kingdom and France,” according to a memorandum, which added: “We look forward to establishing communication channels with the United Kingdom and France to deconflict and closely coordinate these efforts.”
However, the president has continued a confrontational tone toward other European allies and NATO.
“We received no help, zero from NATO,” he said last night.
Officials from the Pentagon also stated that the U.S. is withdrawing approximately 5,000 troops from Germany after its chancellor criticized Trump’s lack of strategy on Iran and suggested that troops could also be withdrawn from Italy and Spain.
“Why not do it? Italy has not helped us at all, and Spain has been terrible, absolutely terrible,” Trump told reporters.
