Trump slams NATO stance on Iran as “foolish mistake” amid Strait of Hormuz tensions
Washington — Donald Trump said on Tuesday that most NATO allies had declined to participate in the United States’ military operation in Iran, calling the decision a “very foolish mistake” as tensions escalate over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to reporters at the White House during a St. Patrick’s Day visit by Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump said allied governments had expressed support for U.S. and Israeli actions but were unwilling to provide direct military assistance.
Trump noted that several allied countries had indicated they had no immediate plans to deploy naval forces to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies pass.
The comments followed calls by the U.S. administration for international support to maintain shipping access after Iran responded to joint U.S.-Israeli strikes with drones, missiles and naval mines that have effectively hindered tanker traffic.
Despite the criticism, Trump said he had “nothing currently in mind” when asked whether Washington would retaliate against allies for their stance.
“I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake,” Trump said. “Everyone agrees with us, but they don’t want to help.”
Earlier in the day, Trump struck a different tone on social media, stating that the United States no longer needed NATO assistance due to what he described as “Military Success” in the ongoing conflict, now in its third week.
In that statement, he also singled out non-NATO partners Japan, Australia and South Korea, without elaborating on their roles.
Trump has previously raised the possibility of withdrawing the United States from NATO, though he did not revisit that position in his latest remarks.
The standoff over the Strait of Hormuz has heightened concerns about global energy supplies, as disruptions in the narrow waterway can have immediate implications for oil markets and shipping routes.
The reluctance of NATO allies to engage militarily underscores divisions within the alliance over involvement in the conflict, even as diplomatic backing for U.S. actions appears to remain intact.
