Trump Calls NATO Allies “Cowards” as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Rise

0:00 Good day. It's Friday, March 20th, 2026.

0:04 I'm Alice Beth, and this is your latest NEWS UPDATE from GLOBAL

0:07 News Daily. U.S.

0:09 President Donald Trump has sharply criticized NATO allies,

0:14 calling them cowards for refusing to assist in securing

0:17 the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical oil

0:21 shipping routes. Trump said it would be easy for

0:24 allied nations to help reopen and secure the vital waterway,

0:28 but claimed that most had informed Washington they did not

0:32 want to get involved. The Strait of Hormuz is a key

0:36 choke point for global energy supplies, with a significant

0:39 portion of the world's oil passing through it daily.

0:43 Any disruption there could have major economic consequences

0:46 worldwide. Meanwhile, tensions are also

0:49 rising between Iran and the United Kingdom.

0:53 Iran's foreign ministry says it has warned London that allowing

0:57 the United States to use British military bases would be

1:00 considered participation in aggression.

1:03 In response, Downing St. says the UK is not getting drawn into

1:08 a wider war on the ground. Fighting continues to intensify.

1:13 Israel has carried out new air strikes on Tehran, even as

1:17 Iranians mark Nauru's the Persian New Year, a time

1:20 typically associated with celebration and renewal.

1:24 In retaliation, Iran has launched multiple rounds of

1:28 missiles toward Jerusalem. For our deep dive and analysis,

1:32 unlock the exclusive subscriber episode in Apple Podcast now.

1:37 Please follow this show on Spotify.

1:39 It really helps. Thanks for listening, Global

1:42 News Daily.