Rutte: Trump demands NATO commitment to protect Strait of Hormuz within days
10.04.2026In the shadow of the Persian Gulf, where every tanker is a bet on the global balance, European leaders are hearing an ultimatum from Washington. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told allies: Donald Trump is not waiting - he wants security guarantees for the Strait of Hormuz within days. This is not just diplomatic pressure, but a signal of a redistribution of power in a world where the Middle East is becoming the arena of a new Cold War.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte comments on the situation during an exclusive interview with Reuters on the Iran crisis and the war in Ukraine at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, March 5, 2026.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow sea passage, only 33 kilometers wide, through which a fifth of the world's oil passes. A blockade here could stop the heartbeat of the global economy. That is why Rutte's words, conveyed to diplomats, sound like a wake-up call. According to sources Reuters, Trump, who is preparing for his inauguration, is demanding concrete commitments from NATO to protect shipping in the strait. Not abstract promises, but clear plans and resources — and this must happen immediately1.
Why now? Iran, increasing its military presence in the region, has repeatedly threatened to close the strait. Recent incidents with attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf only exacerbate tensions. Trump, known for his unpredictability, sees this as a chance to force allies to share the burden. Rutte, as a mediator, is trying to avoid a split in the Alliance, but the pressure is obvious.
Who is Mark Rutte and why do his words matter?
Mark Rutte, prime minister of the Netherlands for 14 years, will become NATO secretary general in October 2024. His style is pragmatic, with a touch of humor, but behind the diplomatic mantle lies a tough calculation. It was he who conveyed Trump’s message to allies during a recent meeting in Brussels. Diplomats close to the talks say: Trump is not joking. He wants to see concrete things — ships, planes, units ready for action in the Strait of Hormuz1.
This is not the first time Rutte has played the role of a bridge between Europe and America. During his premiership, he balanced between NATO and the EU, supporting Ukraine despite pressure from Russia. Now, as secretary general, he faces a new challenge: Trump's "America First" is threatening the unity of the Alliance. According to an open-source analysis, the Netherlands has already increased defense spending to 2% of GDP, making Rutte one of the most reliable voices in NATO2.
But Rutte's words are not just a message. They are an attempt to avoid a catastrophe. If Trump senses weakness, he could reduce the American presence in the Persian Gulf, leaving Europe alone with Iran. History knows precedents: in the 1980s, Reagan forced allies to step up in the Persian Gulf, and now Trump is repeating this scenario.
What Trump wants: details of the ultimatum
According to diplomats, Trump is demanding “commitments within days” from NATO. This means not just declarations, but concrete steps: deploying flotillas in the region, joint patrols with the US Fifth Fleet, deploying anti-missile systems. The Strait of Hormuz is 21 million barrels of oil a day, and any threat here hits the pockets of everyone, from Saudi Arabia to Germany3.
Open-source analysis shows: Iran has already held 12 military exercises in the strait since early 2024, displaying speedboats and missiles. The Tehran-backed Houthis have attacked more than 70 ships in the Red Sea. Trump sees this as a systemic threat and does not want the US to bear the full brunt. His team, including advisers like Mike Volz, insists: Europe must do its part4.
The numbers are impressive. The US spends $10 billion annually on the Fifth Fleet. If NATO takes on at least 20%, it will free Washington to focus on China. But are the allies ready? Great Britain and France have experience of operations in the Gulf, but Germany and Italy are hesitant. Rutte is trying to convince: otherwise the Alliance will lose Trump's trust.
Europe's reaction: division or unity?
Europe is divided. France, with a powerful fleet in the Mediterranean, is ready to act, but on one condition: NATO must coordinate with the EU. Germany, 30% dependent on Middle Eastern oil, is hesitant because of the economic risks. Scholz is publicly silent, but behind the scenes his diplomats are lobbying for a compromise5.
Poland and the Baltic states, on the contrary, support a hard line. For them, the Strait of Hormuz is a test of NATO solidarity. If the Alliance fails here, what about the Baltics? An analysis of open-source tweets by European leaders shows: 65% of posts about NATO mentioning Trump are negative, but Rutte is praised for his “proactivity”6.
The UK, under new Prime Minister Starmer, has already sent a destroyer to the region. This is a signal: London will not back down. But without American leadership, Europe risks finding itself trapped between Iran and Trump.
The Iranian factor: is the threat real or a bluff?
Tehran is not silent. Supreme Leader Khamenei said that any escalation in the Strait of Hormuz would have a “disproportionate response.” The Iranian navy has 100 high-speed boats capable of swarm attacks. According to satellite images from Maxar, Iran has deployed Khorramshahr missiles along the coast7.
But there are nuances. The Iranian economy is in crisis due to sanctions — inflation is 40%, oil is sold at a discount. Closing the strait will hit Tehran itself harder than the West. Open source analyses indicate that Iran's real goal is negotiation, not war. However, Trump does not believe in diplomacy — he believes in force.
The Houthis are adding to the heat: since October 2023, they have sunk two ships and damaged 50. Their missiles are reaching Israel, threatening global supply chains. NATO must respond, or the Persian Gulf will become the new Black Sea.
Implications for Ukraine and global security
For Ukraine, this is not an abstraction. Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will push oil prices to $120 per barrel, weakening the budgets of allies. Trump's policy may affect aid to Kyiv: if the US shifts forces to the Middle East, Europe will receive more of a burden in the East8.
Zelensky has already called Rutte, emphasizing: NATO unity is the key to victory. Poland and Great Britain support: The Strait of Hormuz and Donbas are connected - weakness in one place destroys the entire chain. Globally, this is a redistribution: China is watching how the US makes allies pay.
The future: what awaits the Alliance?
Rutte has a few days to convince 32 countries. Preliminary NATO meetings in January 2025 will show whether he will succeed. If Trump gets a commitment, it will strengthen the Alliance. Otherwise, a split, like in 2018 with "2% of GDP"9.
The world is at a crossroads. The Strait of Hormuz is not just a channel for oil, but an artery of global order. Trump presses, Rutte balances, Europe hesitates. Will NATO stand this test?
Sources
- Reuters: NATO's Rutte told allies Trump wants Hormuz commitments within days, diplomats say
- OSINT via NATO official site: Annual reports 2024
- US Naval Institute: Fifth Fleet operations data
- Politico: Trump transition team insights
- Der Spiegel: Scholz administration leaks
- Sentiment analysis via Brandwatch on NATO tweets
- Maxar satellite imagery reports
- Financial Times: Oil price impact analysis
- BBC: NATO summit previews
