US President Donald Trump has again lashed out at NATO allies, accusing them of not supporting the United States during military actions in Iran. Speaking at a Turning Point USA event in Arizona on 17 April, Trump declared that the US must rely on itself, saying: 'If NATO teaches us any one thing… we have to rely on ourselves.'
Trump has repeatedly criticised NATO members for what he views as a lack of assistance in the Iran war, calling them 'cowards' and branding the alliance a 'paper tiger'. The US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iranian sites from 28 February, prompting Iranian retaliation across the Middle East and disrupting global markets.
The president’s hostility intensified after several NATO nations resisted his demands to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for 20% of global oil. A short-term ceasefire between Iran and the US is in place, but peace talks have failed to produce a long-term agreement.
NATO, a 32-member alliance founded in 1949, operates on the principle that an attack on one member is an attack on all. Concerns have grown that Trump may withdraw from the alliance following a tense meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, which Rutte described as 'very frank' and 'very open'. Trump took his grievances to social media, writing on Truth Social: 'NATO wasn't there for us, and they won't be there for us in the future!'
