A UK defense minister has dismissed claims that former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw NATO support unless the alliance deployed warships to the Strait of Hormuz imminently.

Reports surfaced that NATO’s leader, Mark Rutte, had informed members of Trump’s insistence on firm commitments for sending military vessels or other resources to the Middle East.

These allegations followed Trump’s criticism of NATO as ‘very disappointing,’ accusing the organization of only responding under pressure.

Speaking to Times Radio, Luke Pollard, the UK’s Minister for Defence Procurement, countered, saying, “We don’t recognize such actions.”

He emphasized, “We’ve made it clear that the conflict in Iran isn’t ours, but we have increased our efforts to defend our allies against reckless Iranian attacks on British and coalition bases, as well as our allies in the Gulf.”

Pollard added that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte lauded the UK’s efforts, particularly those of Keir Starmer, in uniting allies to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open for energy and maritime traffic, highlighting its crucial role as a shipping corridor.