The statement comes against the background of the organization of an international coalition led by Great Britain, which includes over 40 countries – including many countries in Europe, Japan and Canada. These countries pledged to assist in the reopening of the strait immediately after the end of the active combat operations in the area. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas supply passes, has already led to a sharp jump in global energy prices and raised serious concerns about an immediate shortage of fuel.
However, behind the scenes, tensions between Washington and its allies are at their peak. Earlier this month, President Trump severely reprimanded the allies in the NATO organization, and even threatened that he is seriously considering leaving the military alliance. The president’s anger arose after several countries refused to allow American military aircraft to use their bases and airspace. Trump did not spare words, calling the allies “cowards”, and claiming that NATO has become a “paper tiger”.
In response to the escalating crisis, Martz stated that he had discussed the NATO issue with the American president, and offered to hold another conversation on the issue ahead of the alliance summit planned for this coming July. “I firmly intend to do everything possible to preserve the protection that NATO provides to Europe,” Martz concluded in an interview with Bloomberg. “This alliance is, at least for now, irreplaceable.”