The lonely war: Trump seeks allies, NATO says no

US President Donald Trump, who had initially framed the American-Israeli strikes on Iran as a swift decapitation operation expected to be completed within hours and stabilised within days, is now seeking military support from allies as the conflict widens.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA NEW DELHI

However, governments across NATO and other US partners have indicated they will not join the war, leaving Washington effectively fighting alongside only Israel.The war began with joint US and Israeli strikes aimed at crippling Iran's military command structure and strategic infrastructure.

Officials in Washington had privately suggested the operation would quickly neutralise Iran's leadership and deter retaliation.

Instead, Iranian missile strikes and activity by Tehran-aligned groups across the region have broadened the confrontation, raising the prospect of a prolonged conflict as the war enters its third week.

The Trump administration has now begun reaching out to allies seeking military participation, particularly naval deployments to secure shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and assist in broader regional security operations.

Those appeals have produced little response.