Trump Addresses NATO Withdrawal from Military Operations

On Tuesday, following an appeal for global support regarding the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump acknowledged that many NATO countries are withdrawing from the U.S.-Israeli military operations in Iran.

“The United States has been informed by most of our NATO ‘allies’ that they do not want to be involved in U.S. military operations against the Iranian terrorist regime in the Middle East, despite the fact that nearly all countries strongly agree with U.S. activities,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He described NATO as a “one-way street,” expressing frustration that the U.S. invests heavily in defending its allies, who aren’t stepping up to provide support during crises.

“Iran should not have nuclear weapons in any form. But I’m not surprised by their actions because I’ve always thought that NATO, where we spend hundreds of billions defending the same countries, is a one-way street. We protect them, but they offer nothing in return when we need them. Thankfully, we’ve decimated Iran’s military—its navy and air force are gone, and essentially every level of their leadership is gone,” he said. “Given our military successes, we no longer ‘need’ NATO countries’ assistance—honestly, we never did. No matter where you are, we don’t need anyone’s help!”

These remarks followed a press conference where Trump urged nations reliant on the Strait of Hormuz—critical for global oil and gas— to take the lead on its security rather than lean on American might. Iranian attacks have disrupted shipping and caused global market upheaval, raising significant concerns about energy security.

Trump noted that the U.S. imports less than 1% of its oil from the Strait, while countries like China and Japan, which depend on it for over 90%, haven’t contributed military support.

He mentioned the success of Operation Epic Fury, stating that U.S. forces successfully neutralized a significant maritime threat by destroying over 30 Iranian minelayers, which potentially safeguarded global energy routes.

“As far as we know, we hit all of their minelayers,” he added.

Over the weekend, Trump claimed optimism on Truth Social regarding the emerging maritime coalition, highlighting a growing number of countries sending warships to collaborate with the U.S. Navy. He regarded this mobilization as a necessary reaction to Iranian provocations, emphasizing that these partners are committing military assets for the safety of the strategic waterway.

“Hopefully, countries affected, like China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK, will send ships to ensure the Strait of Hormuz is no longer threatened,” he stated. “Meanwhile, the U.S. will continue to take aggressive actions against Iranian vessels. We will ensure the Strait is open and safe!”

Maintaining his insistence on burden-sharing, Trump signaled that he wouldn’t be deterred by allied reluctance, confidently asserting that the U.S. has the military strength and strategic autonomy to secure its objectives alone.

While he welcomed international participation, he reiterated that the U.S. doesn’t need permission or help from others to protect its interests and maintain stability.

“Our military successes mean we no longer ‘need’ NATO aid—we never did! The same goes for Japan, Australia, and South Korea. As the President of the most powerful country in the world, we don’t require anyone’s assistance!”

When asked about his relationship with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump noted their recent meeting and the ongoing effort to coordinate an international response to the crisis. Yet, he insisted that the U.S. is prepared to act decisively, with or without support from European nations.

“On a scale of 0 to 10, I think he’s an 8. It’s not perfect, but this is France, and we don’t expect perfection,” he remarked, indicating he believed France would assist in reopening crucial routes.

Trump was critical of Britain for waiting until the U.S. had significantly weakened Iran’s defenses before announcing its intent to deploy an aircraft carrier, asserting that such actions should be proactive.

He also hinted at further expansion of the coalition, mentioning that more countries are preparing to join, with formal announcements expected soon.