Trump Warns NATO of Troubling Future Amid Iran Conflict
On Sunday, President Trump expressed concerns regarding NATO’s future, stating it could look “very bad” if U.S. allies do not collaborate to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz, especially with rising oil prices linked to the conflict with Iran.
In a conversation with the Financial Times, he mentioned that European nations and other powers reliant on Gulf oil need to support efforts to secure this vital trade route, which typically sees around 20% of global oil supply.
“It makes sense that those benefiting from the straits should help ensure nothing bad happens there,” Trump remarked, emphasizing that Europe and China are particularly reliant on the region’s oil compared to the U.S.
“I think, honestly, if there’s no response or—if things go poorly—it could spell a troubling future for NATO,” he added.
The president also suggested that his upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping might be postponed as he seeks assistance from China in addressing the blockade in the strait.
“China sources 90% of its oil from there, so I think we should assist China too,” Trump explained.
He mentioned, “Before that, I’d like to know that [the summit might be] delayed for quite some time,” although he didn’t specify a timeline.
Iran responded on Saturday by declaring that all nations except the United States and Israel could navigate the waterway. This announcement came shortly after U.S. airstrikes targeted military sites on Iran’s oil-rich Khalgh Island.
As a result, oil prices spiked to approximately $106 per barrel, marking a 45% increase since the intensification of the conflict in the Middle East.
Trump called on NATO, composed of 32 nations, to offer military support, mentioning the need for assets like minesweepers and forces capable of neutralizing threats along Iran’s coastline.
“NATO has been supportive; we helped with the Ukraine issue, which is far away,” he noted.
He continued, “Let’s see if they can step up now. For too long, I’ve felt like NATO has been more of a one-way street, with the U.S. carrying the burden.”
Trump expressed frustration with Britain following a conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, noting that while the U.S. views Britain as a strong ally, their recent lack of action was disappointing.
“When I called on them to contribute, they hesitated. They initially said they’d send two ships, but I need support before we declare victory—not after,” he said.
“I’ve maintained that NATO feels like a one-way road,” he reiterated, citing that Iran’s military has faced significant setbacks over the last two weeks and does not pose a significant risk to European nations deploying resources to the Gulf.
Meanwhile, a French soldier lost his life in an Iranian drone strike in Iraq on Thursday.
Trump hinted that the U.S. might conduct new attacks targeting oil infrastructure on Kharg Island, which is critical for Iran’s oil exports.
“We struck nearly all military targets there yesterday, except for the piping,” he noted, declaring that they are capable of executing further strikes rapidly, asserting that Iran would be unable to respond effectively.
