Amid escalation, US allies hang back on intervening in Iran war

Many of America’s allies around the world are growing more comfortable waiting out the Iran war, even as the Trump administration argues their help is needed to end a conflict that’s rapidly spiraling out of control. In recent days, Tehran has attacked Jordan, Egypt and Kuwait. The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have lobbed missiles at Saudi Arabia. And the U.S. has responded by hitting dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guards’ targets in Iran. That has spooked markets and raised the specter of a widening regional conflict that could slash oil and gas exports and imperil the global economy. European and Asian diplomats said their countries aren’t ready to risk the safety of their citizens until Washington and Tehran agree to stop shooting at each other. It’s an indication of the leverage that many U.S. allies feel they have at this moment in the war, when the U.S. appears to be running out of options to contain the conflict or reopen the Strait of Hormuz for oil shipments. Countries are looking to avoid getting pulled in, or if they do get involved — do so on their terms. “We are expecting at any moment a request from the U.S. regarding possible joint actions” in the Gulf, an Asian diplomat said. Worsening oil and gas prices would influence how it responds to such a request, said the person, who like others, was granted anonymity because of the sensitivity of their comments. But any dispatch of military or civilian assets to the region would require “a truce and a confirmation of freedom of navigation through the Hormuz Strait.” A multi-country coalition forged by France and the United Kingdom last month has already conditioned any such move on a confirmed truce between Washington and Tehran. A decision toward “getting more involved would surprise me,” given those conditions, said a European diplomat in Washington. Other countries have more targeted demands. “We have approved a very broad parliamentary mandate to participate more or less in any Hormuz operation demanded by the U.S., of course taking into account our capacities,” one Eastern European official said. “We always saw Iran as a clear ally of Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine and we are happy that the U.S. started to see it.” But, the official said, that support will come at a cost to Washington. “We want more U.S. troops in the Baltics — the best brigade instead of battalion or at least more battalions and on a more permanent basis.” And Ukraine insists that its offer to provide drone interceptors to the U.S. and Gulf countries still stands — especially if Kyiv gets weapons in return. “We are ready to support those who support us,” said a Ukrainian official. “Ukraine has vast experience, modern technologies and expertise to build counter-drone systems. Both the United States and our partners in the Middle East are interested in cooperation with Ukraine, and this is mutual.” The White House declined to comment on whether allies are stepping up to assist the U.S. in containing the spreading conflict in the Middle East. Instead it said in a statement: “Iran’s recklessness is on full display as they commit acts of terrorism against their neighbors – and they are more isolated than ever before as a result.” The Iran conflict has compounded divisions among former rock-solid U.S. allies and partners still smarting from the Trump administration’s aggressive foreign and trade policies geared to high tariffs, threats to invade Greenland and a fixation with making Canada the 51st state. The one area where European allies are most primed to help is in demining and providing security assistance in the strait, though the U.K. and France, among others, have informed Washington they will not send warships until there is a solid and working ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Other countries are just trying to keep their heads down to attempt to avoid Trump’s wrath, even though they’re fed up with the war and worried about further delays in U.S. arms sales. “The main feel