Escalating tensions between the US and Europe over the reservations many European leaders have about the Iran war could nevertheless lead to increased European involvement in the conflict.
Since the US and Israel waged war on Iran on 28 February, European leaders have criticised the move and expressed reservations about joining the battle. In their view, it is a war of choice, not necessity, as Iran did not attack first. Given that fact, NATO allies are not contractually obligated to join in the war effort
European reluctance to support the war has been especially pronounced in the UK, where the initial approach of Keir Starmer was to forbid the US from using British military bases to conduct strikes on Iran. These included UK-based air bases such as RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, and the top-secret Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. However, he later obliged, while emphasising that the bases could only be used for defensive purposes.
Starmer was wary that offensive action against Iran could drag the UK into a war it did not start, nor was consulted about in advance. Furthermore, the UK and other European states are feeling the economic pinch amid surging oil prices, as Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key shipping routes that transports around 20% of global energy needs.
For his part, US President Donald Trump said he was "not happy" with the UK, adding that it "should be enthusiastically involved" in efforts to reopen Hormuz. He even went so far as to call America's European allies “cowards” for their reluctance to join the war effort.
It remains unclear why the US needs help, given the fact that Trump constantly claims that the war is almost finished and Iran has lost. European countries wonder why the US is pressing them to provide naval support when there are already two American aircraft carriers in the region.
