The Czech Republic expresses readiness to support U.S. efforts in securing the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the need for increased European defense spending and addressing the threat posed by Iran.
UNITED NATIONS — The Czech Republic is prepared to assist in safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, aligning closely with the Trump administration on security matters, NATO, and Israel. Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka made these remarks during an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital at the United Nations in New York.
Macinka noted that Prague has already initiated discussions regarding the contribution of specialized capabilities to help secure the strategically vital waterway amid escalating tensions with Iran. “We are ready to contribute to freedom of passage and the Hormuz trade,” he stated. “We were among the first countries that were ready to contribute … We have no navy, as we are in the middle of Europe,” he explained, “But we have some unique passive surveillance capabilities.”
Macinka emphasized that Iran poses a global threat through what he described as four main “war tools”: nuclear proliferation, drones and ballistic missiles, international terrorism, and threats to the Strait of Hormuz. “Their nuclear military program must be stopped,” he asserted. “It’s a global risk and global threat.”
These comments come as the Trump administration has intensified pressure on European allies to take a more significant role in protecting international shipping routes, particularly in light of Iranian threats associated with the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit chokepoint. Approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption passes through this narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.
Following a meeting with foreign ministers in Sweden, Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised concerns about the value of U.S. military bases in allied countries that restrict American military operations during wartime. “One of the arguments I always made was that these bases in the region provided us with logistical options that we wouldn’t otherwise have,” Rubio told reporters. “And when some of those bases are denied to you during a conflict that we’re involved in, then you question whether that value is still there.”
President Donald Trump has also criticized NATO allies for their reluctance to engage in military operations related to the Iran conflict and securing the Strait of Hormuz. In an April 1 interview with Britain’s Daily Telegraph, Trump indicated he was “strongly considering” withdrawing the United States from NATO, labeling the alliance a “paper tiger” due to its failure to support the U.S. campaign against Iran.
The Czech Republic, a NATO member since 1999, has met NATO’s benchmark of spending 2% of its GDP on defense. Macinka strongly defended calls for Europe to enhance defense spending and reduce reliance on Washington for long-term security guarantees. “We should do our homework and build our defense to become stronger,” he said, arguing that Europe has delayed necessary military investments for too long.
He also linked Europe’s defense spending challenges to the European Union’s Green Deal policies, which aim to reduce carbon emissions. Macinka described these policies as ideological and financially detrimental. “If we get rid of this green, crazy alarmism, then we have enough money to build our defense,” he stated.
Macinka expressed direct support for Trump and his administration, praising what he described as a global “common sense” shift following Trump’s election victory. “We are friends of Israel, and we are friends of America,” he said. “Especially me as a politician, I’m a friend of the ideology of the current American administration.”
He also referenced a clash earlier in 2026 with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Munich Security Conference, where he criticized Europe’s liberal political establishment and defended the populist wave reshaping parts of Europe and the United States.
Macinka linked Prague’s strong support for Ukraine to the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, when Warsaw Pact troops occupied the country for over two decades. He noted that this historical experience continues to influence Czech public opinion and support for Kyiv. “The Czech society feels a big solidarity with Ukraine,” he said, describing the war as a “symmetric war” between a powerful Russian military and a Ukrainian army backed by the West.
Macinka highlighted Prague’s leading role in a Czech-backed ammunition initiative supplying Ukraine with artillery rounds collected through international donor efforts. He recalled a visit to Kyiv earlier in 2026, where he received intelligence briefings on battlefield ammunition consumption from Ukrainian military officials.
The Czech initiative reportedly delivered more than half a million rounds of ammunition in 2026 alone, according to Macinka, aiding in stabilizing the battlefield ahead of potential peace negotiations. He argued that maintaining a stable front is essential for meaningful negotiations, warning that shifting battle lines will only harden demands on both sides.
As Washington increasingly focuses on the Middle East, Macinka asserted that Europe must take on a larger diplomatic role in future negotiations regarding Ukraine. “America is quite busy with the Middle East,” he said. “Europe should wake up and ask for a place at the table,” according to Fox News.