Image Credit: Niall Carson - PA Images / Contributor / Getty 
On Tuesday President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. never needed the help of other countries to fight Iran. The announcement came after the President requested European and Asian nations to aid in the military operation of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, to which they declined.
The United States has been informed by most of our NATO “Allies” that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon. I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street — We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need. Fortunately, we have decimated Iran’s Military — Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti-Aircraft and Radar is gone and perhaps, most importantly, their Leaders, at virtually every level, are gone, never to threaten us, our Middle Eastern Allies, or the World, again! Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer “need,” or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP
In addition to his social media post, Trump responded to a reporter about the issue as well.
BREAKING VIDEO: “We Don’t Need Too Much Help— We Don’t Need Any Help Actually!”
After Asking NATO Countries To Help Police The Strait Of Hormuz, President Trump Now Says, “We No Longer Need, Or Desire, The NATO Countries’ Assistance — WE NEVER DID!”
On Saturday the President used social media to ask the foreign nations which receive oil through the Strait of Hormuz to come to the aid of the U.S. in it’s military operation of keeping the passage open:
Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe. We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway, no matter how badly defeated they are. Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated. In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water. One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE! President DONALD J. TRUMP
The United States of America has beaten and completely decimated Iran, both Militarily, Economically, and in every other way, but the Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT! The U.S. will also coordinate with those Countries so that everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well. This should have always been a team effort, and now it will be — It will bring the World together toward Harmony, Security, and Everlasting Peace! President DONALD J. TRUMP
Despite European and Asian nations receiving much of the oil which passes through the Strait of Hormuz, their interest in taking part in a military action which they did not initiate ranged from lackluster to outright refusal.
On Tuesday Al Jazeera summarized French President Emmanuel Macron’s position on the U.S./Israeli attack on Iran:
While France opposes Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, Macron has condemned the U.S. and Israel’s assault on the country, calling the strikes illegal and outside of international law.
“The French are very clear on the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme. But the threats emanating from the country can’t be solved militarily, let alone with regime change,” Laure Foucher, a researcher at the French think tank Foundation for Strategic Research, or FRS, told Al Jazeera.
“The [French] have always favored a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue in Iran,” Foucher added.
Likewise, Italy is also distancing itself from joining the U.S./Israeli action. Military.com reported Monday that:
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told lawmakers Italy “does not take part” in the U.S.-Israeli military strikes against Iran and “does not want to enter” the war. She described the conflict as one of the most serious international crises in recent decades and warned that the escalation reflected a broader breakdown in the international legal order.
Meloni’s comments marked one of the clearest statements by a major European government distancing itself from the military campaign.
Remix News detailed Germany’s rejection of joining the conflict Monday:
Ahead of the EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels today, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Sunday that Germany will not participate in the international military operation to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as Trump has been demanding NATO allies do.
His comments came during an interview with the ARD public broadcaster’s program “Report from Berlin,” and his position directly reflected previous statements by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, noted Mandiner.
Earlier today, Pistorius stated outright: “What does Trump expect a handful of European frigates to do that the powerful U.S. Navy cannot? This is not our war, and we did not start it.”
The UK’s Prime Minister also refused to join the conflict. The Guardian reported Monday that:
Keir Starmer has insisted that the UK will not be drawn into the wider war in the Middle East as European leaders ruled out sending warships to the strait of Hormuz.
In his clearest signal yet of the UK’s divergence from Donald Trump’s attack on Iran, the prime minister said he would stand firm in the face of U.S. pressure despite the decision being “difficult, there’s no hiding that”.
As concerns mounted at home over U.S. demands for the British military to help keep shipping lanes open, he said: “While taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war.”
The Asian response to Trump’s military aid request was not outright refused by Japan or South Korea, but it was not granted either. China did however refuse, citing its interest in a diplomatic solution. The BBC detailed these responses in an article Tuesday:
China
Asked by reporters on Monday whether the country had received a request to send ships and how it would respond, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “China once again calls on parties to immediately stop military operations, avoid further escalation of the tense situation and prevent regional turmoil from further impacting the global economy.”
Jian also said China was “in communication with relevant parties to work for the deescalation of the situation”.
South Korea
On Sunday, the foreign ministry told the BBC the country was “paying close attention” to Trump’s remarks and the two countries would continue to “communicate closely and make a decision after careful consideration”.
“The Korean government is closely monitoring developments related to the situation in the Middle East and is exploring various measures under comprehensive consideration to protect Korean nationals and ensure the safety of energy transportation routes,” the ministry said.
Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back told parliament on Tuesday that sending a warship to the Strait of Hormuz would require parliamentary approval.
Japan
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday that she had not received a request to dispatch escort ships.
“The Japanese government is currently examining what necessary measures should be taken. Of course, this will be within the Japanese legal framework, but we are proceeding with consideration as to how we can protect the lives of Japanese vessels and their crews, and what can be done in such regards,” she said.
Takaichi is due to meet Trump in Washington DC on 19 March.
The European refusal to enter into a conflict they did not start is likely not based on the philosophy of peace, but rather a full commitment to another ongoing military action – the Ukraine war. These nations have formed the Coalition of the Willing to fight Russia through the proxy state Ukraine.
