Trump Warns of NATO Exit Over Allies’ No Support in Iran War

Calls NATO a "Paper Tiger"

Calling the security alliance a "paper tiger", President Trump said, “Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration (pulling out of NATO). I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way” to the British daily The Telegraph.

Trump is furious with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) countries after they refused to help reopen Hormuz, which is a very important waterway through which around 30 per cent of the world's oil and energy come from the Middle East.
Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz in a way of retaliation to the US and Israel's massive airstrikes on the territory that started the war on February 28.

NATO Nations Refuse US War Help

During the last weeks, a series of NATO countries have submitted very different reactions to the US's fighting against Iran. Switzerland denied the use of its airspace to US warplanes. Spain condemned the US war in Iran with the strongest words in a series of statements and public remarks. Italy has similarly denied permission to US aircraft wanting to land at its bases in Sicily. France has authorized the use of its bases for support activities such as refuelling however it did not grant permission for the operations linked to offensive strikes.

Trump Slams UK for Not Backing Iran War

Previously, Trump criticized the UK and other allies by saying that they should fight themselves and get their oil from Hormuz.
"All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT," he said.
"You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us," he added.

Trump Slams NATO Free-Riders

The U.S. President has always had a love-hate relationship with NATO. He has charged the member countries with riding on the coattails of the U.S. for their security needs and not investing enough in defence. During the 2024 election campaign, he infamously urged Russia to attack those NATO members which do not reach the required defence spending. He even threatened to take over Greenland, a territory of Denmark which is a NATO member.