India, March 17 -- Germany on Monday rejected a call by US President Donald Trump for NATO allies to help protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from potential Iranian attacks, saying the conflict with Iran was not the military alliance's responsibility.

Trump, who has repeatedly asked allied nations to support a military mission in the Strait of Hormuz, on Sunday ramped up his rhetoric towards NATO, suggesting that the alliance might face a "very bad future" if allies don't help ensure safe passage for commercial shipping through the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman.

While many in the 32-member defence alliance, including Germany, have agreed that the leadership in Tehran poses a threat, allies are increasingly critic...