US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Nato allies on Friday, threatening the alliance's future unless they provide immediate military assistance to open the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route now effectively blocked by Iran. Speaking to the Financial Times, Trump stated that Europe and China, heavily reliant on Gulf oil, must contribute to the effort to clear the waterway, which handles a fifth of global oil exports. Oil prices surged to $106 a barrel on Sunday, up 45% since the conflict began, highlighting the global economic stakes. Trump emphasized that the US had provided extensive support to Europe in the past, including in Ukraine, and now expected reciprocal aid.

He specifically requested European minesweepers and commando teams to target Iranian "nuisance" activities like drone and mine deployments in the Gulf. Trump also indicated a potential delay of his upcoming China summit, citing Beijing's failure to unblock the strait before the March 26 meeting in Beijing. While China gets 90% of its oil from the region, Trump expressed pessimism about ally cooperation, particularly with Britain, which he criticized for sending only two ships after the US destroyed Iran's military capacity. Trump claimed Iran's navy and air defenses were decimated, leaving only "nuisance" capabilities, but European forces had already suffered casualties in the conflict. The US president also threatened further strikes on Iran's oil infrastructure, including Kharg Island.