US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he does not think the US-Israeli war with Iran could finish this week, while repeating his earlier claims that the conflict will come to an end "soon."

Asked by a reporter at the White House if the war could end this week, Trump said: "I don't think so. But it'll be soon."

"Won't be long," Trump added. "It'll be wrapped up soon."

The president also said that he will "soon" announce countries that have agreed to join the White House-proposed coalition to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which about 20% of the world's oil passes.

"There are a couple. We'll be announcing some names soon," he said. "There are some that really were right up front."

However, it appears many US allies have either been noncommittal or have declined to participate. 

European allies resist Trump's call for military mission in Strait of Hormuz

Multiple European nations and the European Union (EU) on Monday voiced reluctance or outright opposition to Trump's call for a military mission to ensure safe shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Stressing the need for diplomatic solutions and warning against further regional escalation, European leaders underscored that the current conflict should not evolve into a NATO mission or draw the continent into a broader war.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ruled out any military involvement in protecting oil tankers in the strait, emphasizing that NATO is a "defense alliance" rather than an "intervention alliance."

Merz said Germany will not participate in military measures to ensure freedom of navigation as long as the conflict continues, adding that no viable concept for such an operation has been presented so far.

His remarks were echoed in Brussels by EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas. After a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas stated the bloc has no appetite for expanding its existing naval mission "Aspides" to the Strait of Hormuz.

"We are working on the diplomatic solutions for the Strait of Hormuz," she said, adding, "This is not Europe's war."

In Southern Europe, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said Portugal "is not and will not be involved in this conflict."

Rangel also dismissed threats from the Trump administration regarding NATO members unwilling to back Washington, saying they deserved "absolutely no reaction."

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also expressed doubts, noting that existing missions like "Aspides" and "Atalanta" are primarily designed for defensive escort and anti-piracy operations, making their extension to the high-risk Strait of Hormuz difficult.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London is working with allies on a "viable plan" to restore navigation but clarified that it "won't be and it's never been envisioned to be a NATO mission."

Trump rebukes allies for reluctance to join Strait of Hormuz escort effort

Trump on Monday repeatedly criticized European allies for their reluctance to answer his call to join the escort.

"The problem with NATO is we'll always be there for them but they'll never be there for us," Trump rehashed.

"Europe has no interest in an open-ended war," Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, said of the US-Israeli war with Iran in Brussels on Monday. "This is not Europe's war, but Europe's interests are directly at stake."

The United States and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran on February 28, disrupting global shipping, sending oil prices soaring and shaking the global economy.

(With input from agencies)