The US president has put allies on notice over the Strait of Hormuz — and suggested Xi Jinping’s summit could be at risk — as fighting intensifies across Iran and a “drone incident” grounds flights at Dubai Airport.
Latest developments
- Trump warns Nato allies it would be “very bad for the future of Nato” if they refuse to help secure the Strait of Hormuz
- President says he is in talks with roughly seven countries about “policing” the strategic waterway, vowing to “remember” those who decline
- Trump signals he may delay his upcoming summit with Xi Jinping if China does not agree to assist
- Iran’s foreign minister rules out a ceasefire, saying Tehran sees no reason to negotiate with Washington after the US chose to attack
- Dubai International Airport temporarily suspends flights following a drone incident
- Israel says it still has “thousands” of targets remaining in Iran and pledges to expand strikes westward and into the country’s centre
President Donald Trump has issued a pointed warning to Nato members, telling the Financial Times on Monday that it would be “very bad for the future of Nato” if allies fail to help secure the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow chokepoint through which a significant share of the world’s oil passes — as the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran enters a new and volatile phase.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he was in discussions with approximately seven nations about “policing” the strait and made clear that their response would not be forgotten: “I will remember,” he said, declining to name the countries involved.
In a significant diplomatic signal, Trump said he expects China to play a role in securing the Hormuz corridor and suggested that his forthcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping could be postponed if Beijing refuses to cooperate. The warning marks an escalation of pressure on China, which has close economic ties with Iran and has so far avoided direct involvement in the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday firmly closed the door to negotiations, stating that Tehran has neither requested a ceasefire nor sees “any reason why we should talk with the Americans.” He pointed to the US-led strikes on Iran as the reason for the breakdown in diplomacy, arguing that Washington attacked while discussions were still under way.
The wider regional fallout was underscored when Dubai International Airport — among the world’s busiest hubs — was forced to temporarily suspend flights following what authorities described as a “drone incident.” No group immediately claimed responsibility for the disruption, which rattled Gulf states already on edge over the spreading conflict.
In Israel, military officials said there remained “thousands” of targets yet to be struck inside Iran, hours after announcing plans to widen operations into Iran’s western and central regions. The statement suggests the offensive is far from concluding, raising fears of a prolonged campaign with unpredictable consequences for regional stability and global energy markets.
