UNITED STATES President Donald Trump has sharply criticised the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) after key allies declined to support US efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, insisting the United States does not require assistance despite rising regional tensions.
Speaking at the White House during a meeting with Micheál Martin, Trump described the alliance’s reluctance as a strategic misstep.
“I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake,” Reuters cited him saying, “I’ve long said that I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us. So, this was a great test.”
The remarks came after several allies rejected calls to help escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint increasingly threatened by the конфликт involving Iran.
Emmanuel Macron stated that France would “never” participate under current conditions, while the United Kingdom also declined involvement, signalling broader hesitation within the alliance.
Despite the setback, Trump maintained that US military operations had been sufficiently successful to proceed independently.
“We don’t need too much help. We don’t need any help,” he said.
In a separate statement on his Truth Social platform, he reinforced the message, declaring that US forces “no longer need” NATO support.
“Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance – WE NEVER DID!”
Trump also claimed that most NATO members, along with key US partners such as Japan, Australia and South Korea, had indicated they did not wish to become involved, describing the alliance as a “one way street”.
He renewed criticism of individual leaders, saying Keir Starmer “hasn’t been supportive, and I think it’s a big mistake,” while adding of Macron that “he’ll be out of office soon.”
The dispute underscores growing strains within NATO as the conflict with Iran intensifies, disrupting energy markets and raising global security concerns.
Iran has targeted regional energy infrastructure and threatened tanker traffic, effectively constraining movement through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil supply passes.
Trump offered mixed signals on the trajectory of the conflict, describing it as limited in scope while suggesting a swift US withdrawal.
“Iran was ‘just a military operation to me’ and ‘we’ll be leaving in pretty much the very near future,’” he said, adding that Washington would seek to ensure stable governance in the country.
“We’re going to try to get people that are going to run it well,” he said.
The comments follow reports of significant escalation, including Israeli claims that senior Iranian leadership figures have been killed, further heightening uncertainty across the region. - March 18, 2026
