Spain Responds To US Ultimatum On Strait Of Hormuz

• 10.04.2026, 22:07

How did Madrid respond to Trump's threats?

The Strait of Hormuz is not within NATO's purview, and the Alliance will not get involved in a war in the Middle East.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Álbarez Bueno said so, according to Euronews.

Spain's position on Trump's ultimatum on Trump's ultimatum

Albarez said ensuring free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is beyond NATO's scope. The foreign minister emphasized that the allies had not been informed of the US plans and had not been consulted.

"NATO is not involved in this war. The Middle East is not in NATO's sphere of action, and that is why not only we, but many allies have expressed the same opinion: NATO will not participate in this war," the minister emphasized.

The statements came in response to pressure from US President Donald Trump, who is demanding more action from allies in the region. Trump has previously criticized the Alliance for inaction and even threatened to withdraw the US from the organization.

Despite Spain's resistance, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is trying to encourage member states to create a special mission. The U.S. expects concrete steps from partners to unblock the strait, where about 2,000 ships are now blocked.

Because of the lack of consensus within NATO, Britain has begun forming a separate "coalition of the willing." More than 40 countries are already ready to join it in order to restore the safety of navigation bypassing the official structures of the Alliance.