Trump lashes out at NATO for not sending troops to Strait of Hormuz

President Trump criticized NATO allies as "cowards" on Friday for refusing to contribute troops to a military effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments. The president's rebuke reflects his ongoing demands that allied nations increase military commitments and share what he views as disproportionate defense burdens. Trump has consistently pushed NATO members to boost defense spending and expand their operational roles beyond Europe. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world's most strategically important shipping channels, and efforts to secure it typically involve U.S. leadership rather than coordinated NATO action. The dispute underscores ongoing tension between the Trump administration and European allies over the scope and cost of military engagements.