NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told European leaders that President Donald Trump wants concrete commitments on passage through the Strait of Hormuz within days as parties gear up for negotiations in Pakistan, according to a new report.
Reuters cited European diplomats who acknowledged Trump's frustration with NATO allies, saying that while the alliance "as such would not play a role in the war against Iran," the countries do "want to be helpful in seeking long-term solutions for Hormuz."
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met with Trump on Wednesday to address tensions. However, Trump slammed the alliance after the meeting, saying in a social media publication that "NATO WASN'T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON'T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN."
"REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!" he added, in reference to his ongoing threat to take over the Danish territory.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed the criticism, saying "it's quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it's the American people who have been funding their defense."
In the meantime, Britain is leading a group of dozens of countries to come up with a military and diplomatic plan to open the key waterway. French President Emmanuel Macron said about 15 countries are planning to achieve navigation.
However, it is unclear if any solution to Iran's chokehold will end outside of negotiations, which also seem to be on shaky ground.
The speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, said the ceasefire with the U.S. has been violated in three different ways since its announcement and cast doubt on negotiations with Washington, particularly Israel's continued strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
In a social media publication, Ghalibaf rejected remarks by Trump and U.S. officials, who said Iran's demands in private negotiations were different than those stated publicly. Ghalibaf also said on Thursday that "ceasefire violations carry explicit costs and STRONG responses."
