The US president has “threatened to stop” supplying weapons for Ukraine to pressure European allies to join a “coalition of the willing” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reports, quoting people briefed on the discussions.
According to the report, Trump threatened to stop supplies to NATO’s weapons procurement initiative for Ukraine, which is funded by European countries.
On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Al Jazeera it was “very disappointing” that NATO allies such as Spain blocked the use of their airspace and bases for the US-Israel war on Iran. He warned that Washington will re-examine the value of NATO after the war is over.
It’s a two-tier system. Friendly countries - China, Russia, Malaysia and Bangladesh - don’t even need to pay the toll. ‘Neutral’ countries like India, Indonesia, etc. can transport oil after paying the toll. US and its allies don’t get oil, toll or no toll.
Also there’s the alternative way which Iran offered: kick out the American and Israeli embassadors.
Iran is playing 5D chess whilst Trump’s America is playing Tic-tac-toe.