Middle East Crisis Reactions

Growing list of countries declare against the US – will not allow themselves to be “blackmailed”

The list of countries that are coming out and stating that they do not intend to participate in any military operations in connection with the Iran war is growing.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand says that they were not informed in advance of the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran and do not intend to participate. She also rejects Donald Trump’s demand that NATO contribute to securing the Strait of Hormuz.

On Monday, several European leaders distanced themselves from participating in any military operations. Among other things, EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas said that this is “not Europe’s war, even though European interests are at stake”. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that the US and Israel have chosen to take this path.

– We did not start this war.

Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel went further and said that his country will not allow itself to be "blackmailed" by Washington, writes Politico.

Today, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis joined the critical voices.

- I don't think the European appetite for something like that is particularly great, he says according to Bloomberg.

Instead, Europe's focus, according to Mitsotakis, must be to deal with the inevitable consequences of the war for the continent, such as rising energy prices.

Trump: We no longer need the help of NATO countries

NATO countries have informed the United States that they will not interfere in the country's war against Iran. Donald Trump announced this in a harshly critical post on the Truth Social platform.

The president writes that he is not surprised by the decision of the NATO countries, and that he has always believed that NATO is not doing enough for the United States.

"Because we have had such military successes, we no longer 'need' and want the help of NATO countries," writes Trump.

"WE DON'T NEED ANY HELP," he concludes.


US counterterrorism chief resigns in protest against Iran war

The head of the US National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, is resigning in protest against the Iran war. This is reported by American media.

Kent is the first high-ranking official in the Trump administration to leave his post due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, writes Axios.

"Iran posed no immediate threat to our country, and it is clear that we started the war because of pressure from Israel and its influential lobby in the United States," Kent writes in an open letter.

Trump on defected Kent: "Good thing he's gone"

US President Donald Trump says it is good that the head of the US National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, has resigned. This is reported by CNN.

“He’s a nice guy, but I’ve always thought he was very weak on security,” Trump told reporters.

Kent announced earlier in the day that he was resigning over the Iran war. He said Iran posed no immediate threat to the United States. Trump believes that is incorrect.

“When I read his statement, I thought it was a good thing he was gone.”