Donald Trump has warned of a 'very bad' future for Nato if allies refuse his demands to send warships to police the Strait of Hormuz.

The US president upped the ante over the crucial oil channel by linking the situation to Ukraine, as his war on Iran threatens to tip the world into chaos and recession. 

But UK ministers risked inflaming tensions further this morning by playing down 'rhetoric' coming out of the White House.  

Tehran has effectively closed the route, through which around a fifth of global supplies pass, despite Mr Trump's claims to have 'obliterated' its military.

The president insisted on Saturday that Britain, France and China should 'send ships to the area so that the Strait will no longer be threatened by a nation that has been totally decapitated'.

The UK, France Australia, Canada and Japan have already suggested they will not obey the request. Keir Starmer is thought to have conveyed to Mr Trump in a phone call last night that the UK is only ready to deploy minesweeping drones. 

On another rollercoaster day with the Middle East in flames:

A former UK forces chief has warned navy ships would be at serious risk of sinking if they were sent to the Strait. Nick Carter also insisted Nato is a defensive alliance and not designed to underpin offensive action; 

Sir Keir is set to hold a Downing Street press conference laying out plans to support Brits with heating oil costs;

Ministers are hinting at a bigger bailout if the crisis drags on - but cash is expected to be targeted at benefits claimants and pensioners;

Speaking to the Financial Times after the call, Mr Trump said: 'It's only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there.

'We have a thing called Nato,' Trump said. 'We've been very sweet. We didn't have to help them with Ukraine… but we helped them. 

'Now we'll see if they help us. Because I've long said that we'll be there for them but they won't be there for us. And I'm not sure that they'd be there.'

He added: 'If there's no response or if it's a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of Nato.'

The president previously insisted the US did not need any military assistance from allies such as Britain, accusing them of only turning up after the war was 'won'. 

Mr Trump also took a fresh swipe at Sir Keir, after branding the PM 'no Churchill' for refusing to join initial US-Israeli strikes on Iran a fortnight ago.