US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized US allies after some of them rejected Washington's request for help in patrolling the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
"I've always been a strong critic of this policy of protecting other countries, because I know that we are the ones protecting them and, if we ever needed help, they are not there. I've known that for a long time," Trump declared.
The head of the White House complained that some allied countries, which according to him have benefited from American support in the security field for decades, have not shown sufficient loyalty to the US at the time when Washington requested support for operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump did not mention specific names, but stressed that some of America's traditional partners have refused to get involved in efforts to ensure security in this vital maritime corridor for global oil trade.
His statement comes as the war in the Middle East has entered its third week and tensions in the region continue to rise, raising fears of an even wider escalation of the conflict.
