Trump Advises JD Vance on Strategies to Avoid Conflict with Iran: Live Updates

A British defense minister has dismissed recent claims suggesting that Donald Trump threatened to withdraw NATO backing unless the alliance dispatched warships to the Strait of Hormuz imminently.

Reports surfaced yesterday indicating that NATO head Mark Rutte purportedly informed members of Trump’s demand for firm commitments to deploy military ships or equipment to the Middle East.

These claims emerged soon after Trump criticized NATO as ‘disappointing,’ asserting that it only took action under duress.

Defense Procurement Minister Luke Pollard, speaking to Times Radio, stated, “That’s not an action we recognize.”

He further clarified, “We have consistently stated that the conflict in Iran is not ours, yet we have increased our efforts to protect our allies from Iran’s reckless attacks on British and coalition bases, as well as our partners in the Gulf.”

‘And indeed, the secretary general of Nato, Mark Rutte, said yesterday that he praised the work of Keir Starmer and the UK in bringing together allies in support of opening the Strait of Hormuz to allow the flow of energy and ships through that important shipping channel.’