US President Donald Trump has suggested he is considering pulling the United States out of NATO following allies’ refusal to support the war against Iran. In an interview with The Telegraph, he called the alliance a “paper tiger.”
Trump stated that withdrawing from the NATO defence treaty had previously been discussed but is now “beyond reconsideration.” He emphasized that US membership should not be taken for granted, citing recent disagreements with allies.
The president criticized NATO allies for their reluctance to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route that handles nearly 20% of global oil shipments. Iran has effectively kept the strait closed for weeks, disrupting energy flows and raising global economic concerns.
Trump expressed disbelief over the lack of automatic support from NATO members. “We’ve always been there, including in Ukraine, but they were never there for us,” he said, highlighting perceived imbalances in alliance obligations.
The US president also targeted the UK, criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer for refusing participation in the US-Israeli war against Iran. Trump questioned the state of Britain’s navy and its aircraft carriers, calling the fleet outdated.
On defence spending, Trump said he would not advise Starmer, noting the UK’s focus on wind energy is raising domestic energy costs. He reiterated that NATO members must meet their obligations if they expect US support in future conflicts.
The White House has expressed growing frustration with NATO allies, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling the alliance a “one-way street.” Trump supported Rubio’s stance, suggesting that Washington may “re-examine” its NATO membership after the Iran war if allies continue to fall short.
