As the Middle East conflict enters its 17th day, US President Donald Trump reported to media that he was “disappointed” with the state of America’s allies after their rejection of his calls to send warships to escort merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said that NATO faced a “very bad” future if US allies continue to decline assisting.
Among those allies is Australia, which confirmed yesterday it would not send a warship to the Middle East.
For now, several European allies including Germany, Spain and Italy, have ruled out joining any mission in the Gulf. Meanwhile, Britain and Denmark have taken a more cautious approach, saying they would consider other ways they could assist the US.
This comes as Israel expanded its air and ground assault on the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah, focusing on Beirut and its suburbs.
In Dubai, limited flights have resumed at their Dubai International Airport, after operations were suspended following a drone attack.
A statement from the White House also revealed that a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump could be postponed due to the conflict.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald
