Donald Trump has openly criticized some allied countries, including Australia, Japan and South Korea, saying they have not given enough support to the United States during the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Speaking at the White House, Trump defended the performance of the US military in the Middle East, saying they are doing very well. However, he also showed frustration towards NATO and other allies, claiming they have not contributed to the situation.
He stressed that several countries failed to assist the US, repeatedly mentioning South Korea, Australia, and Japan as examples of nations that did not offer help during the crisis.
Meanwhile, the United Nations is getting ready to vote on a new resolution concerning the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal is expected to be weaker than earlier versions after opposition from China, which has veto power.
Reports say the UN Security Council will vote on the resolution, which focuses on protecting commercial ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the current version does not include approval for the use of military force.
Bahrain, which currently leads the council, has worked on several drafts to address concerns raised by countries like China, Russia and others.
The latest version of the resolution encourages countries that rely on the waterway to work together in a defensive and careful manner to keep shipping routes safe. It suggests actions like escorting commercial vessels and preventing any attempt to block the route.
Diplomats believe this softer version has a better chance of being accepted, although the final outcome is still uncertain. For the resolution to pass, it needs at least nine votes and no veto from the five permanent members — Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States.
The conflict has already affected global markets, with oil prices rising after military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran earlier this year. Iran has since limited access to the Strait of Hormuz, which is an important route for global oil and gas supply.
