President Donald Trump requested that NATO allies join a US mission to protect shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf from Iranian attacks on oil tankers, but received declined responses from key European partners.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer informed the US that the United Kingdom would not send ships to participate in the Gulf protection mission. Germany and Finland also declined to commit forces to the operation.

Finland specifically cited its focus on regional security concerns, with officials stating they have "Russia to take care of" as their priority. The Nordic nation, which joined NATO in 2023, indicated its military resources remain concentrated on potential threats from its eastern neighbor.

Trump expressed disappointment with the allied responses during a press conference, particularly criticizing Starmer's position. The President characterized the lack of European participation as disappointing but stated that the United States "doesn't need help" for the mission.

The disagreement comes months after the US administration had criticized NATO allies for insufficient defense spending and burden-sharing within the alliance. The current situation highlights ongoing tensions over military responsibilities and resource allocation among NATO members.

Iranian forces have targeted commercial shipping in the Gulf region in recent months, prompting concerns about the security of critical oil transport routes. The US has maintained naval presence in the area to deter further attacks on international shipping.