European leaders rebuff Trump’s call to open the Strait of Hormuz - The Washington Post

European leaders have rejected President Trump's call to open the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which roughly one-third of global maritime oil trade flows. The strait, controlled by Iran, is one of the world's most strategically important chokepoints, and Trump's push likely reflects broader efforts by his administration to counter Iranian influence in the Middle East. Europe's refusal signals reluctance to back a more aggressive approach toward Iran that could destabilize the region and disrupt energy supplies to allied nations. The disagreement underscores the widening gap between the Trump administration's maximum-pressure strategy on Iran and Europe's preference for diplomatic engagement. The dispute may complicate coordination on Middle East policy among traditional Western allies.