‘Never Seen Him So Angry’: US Senator Says Trump Furious Over Europe's Response On Hormuz

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 23:17 IST

Senator Lindsey Graham said President Trump is frustrated with European allies for not supporting the US in the Iran war. Trump criticised Europe for not helping secure Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump is getting frustrated with European allies over their reluctance to support Washington in the Iran war, said United States Senator Lindsey Graham, one of his closest allies said on Tuesday.

In a post on X, Graham said he recently had a conversation with Trump and he has “never seen him so angry" towards Europe for their “unwillingness to provide assets to keep the Strait of Hormuz".

He said: “Just spoke to POTUS about our European allies’ unwillingness to provide assets to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning, which benefits Europe far more than America. I have never heard him so angry in my life. I share that anger given what’s at stake."

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“The arrogance of our allies to suggest that Iran with a nuclear weapon is of little concern and that military action to stop the ayatollah from acquiring a nuclear bomb is our problem not theirs is beyond offensive. The European approach to containing the ayatollah’s nuclear ambitions have proven to be a miserable failure," he further said.

The Senator warned that the repercussions of providing little assistance to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning will be wide and deep for Europe and America.

“I consider myself very forward-leaning on supporting alliances, however at a time of real testing like this, it makes me second guess the value of these alliances. I am certain I am not the only senator who feels this way," he added.

Also Read: ‘He Will Be Out Of Office Soon’: Trump Mocks Macron As France Refuses To Join Hormuz Task Force

President Trump had previously demandes US’s allies to help secure the waterway that has been shut by Iran in response to the war launched by the US and Israel on February 28.

President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said France will only help out in escorting ships in the Strait of Hormuz once the conflict ends.

“We are not party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context," Macron said during a cabinet meeting.

Also Read: Tankers Have Started To ‘Dribble Through’ Hormuz: White House As Global Oil Markets Remain Volatile

“However, we are convinced that once the situation becomes calmer… we are ready, alongside other nations, to take responsibility for an escort system," he said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they were working with allies to craft a “viable" plan to reopen the strait but ruled out a NATO mission, while German officials also said it had been “clear at all times that this war is not a matter for NATO," AFP reported.

Japan, Australia, Poland, Spain, Greece and Sweden have also distanced themselves from military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, White House Economic Adviser Kevin ⁠Hassett said in an interview to CNBC that oil tankers are “starting to ⁠dribble through" the Strait of Hormuz while reiterating that the war will continue for only weeks not months.

Later, US President Donald Trump said Washington does not need any assistance to protect the key oil route blocked by Iran.

“We don’t need anybody. We’re the strongest nation in the world. We have the strongest military by far in the world," Trump said, repeating his criticism that North Atlantic Treaty Organisation members were not helping despite the idea of collective defence.

Trump on Monday said that the ongoing war with Iran could end “soon", though he indicated that hostilities are unlikely to conclude within the current week.

While speaking to reporters at the White House, the US President struck an optimistic tone about the war, which is now in its third week. When asked if the conflict could end this week, he initially responded, “Yeah, sure," before clarifying that an immediate resolution was unlikely.

Iran has been carrying out attacks on US bases and interests across the Middle East since the conflict with the United States and Israel began on February 28. The war started after US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and caused major damage to key government and military infrastructure.

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