How Europe said no to Trump. Get full access to Reuters.com for just $1/week. Subscribe now. One Essential Read One Essential Read Recommended by Kate Turton, Newsletter Editor Trump's 'foolish' allies: How Europe said no to his Iran war Tankers sail in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz. United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo When President Donald Trump asked countries to join a global effort against Iran and deploy ships to prise open the Strait of Hormuz, whose near closure has held the global economy in a vice, he was rebuffed by some of America's closest allies. European leaders have refused to get involved directly in the US and Israeli military operation against Iran , wary of getting sucked into an unpredictable conflict which is unpopular with their own citizens and whose aims they do not fully understand. In do...
