Trump Lashes Out at NATO Over Iran, Claims US Needs No Assistance
WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump on March 17 criticized NATO allies as “foolish” regarding the situation in Iran, asserting that the United States does not require assistance after allies declined his requests to participate in efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump stated that most US allies rejected his proposal to escort ships through the crucial waterway. French President Emmanuel Macron previously indicated his country would “never” participate until the situation stabilizes. “I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in the Oval Office. “I’ve long said that I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us. So this was a great test.”
Despite this, Trump insisted Washington is prepared to act independently against Iran, claiming that even NATO allies acknowledge the need to address Iran’s nuclear program. “We don’t need too much help. We don’t need any help,” Trump said.
Trump Dismisses NATO Assistance
Minutes before the meeting with the Irish Prime Minister, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that US forces “no longer need” military assistance in the Iran conflict. He stated that “most” NATO allies, along with Japan, Australia, and South Korea, expressed unwillingness to get involved, characterizing the decades-ancient military alliance as a “one-way street.”
“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 wrote.
Criticism of Allies and Future of NATO
Trump, a long-time critic of NATO, has consistently accused the organization of taking advantage of US spending and military strength. Since returning to power in January 2025, he has urged member states to increase their defense spending. When asked if he would reconsider the US relationship with NATO, Trump stated it was “certainly something that we should think about” but added he had “nothing currently in mind.”
He further criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying he “hasn’t been supportive, and I think it’s a big mistake.” Regarding French President Macron, he simply stated, “he’ll be out of office soon.”
Strait of Hormuz and US-Iran Conflict
Trump had suggested on March 16 that both Paris and London would be willing to help, and claimed other unnamed countries were already on board. However, Macron affirmed on March 17 that France would not participate in operations to open the strait under the current circumstances, but could consider an “escort system” alongside other nations once the situation “calmer.” Britain has also declined Washington’s request for assistance.
Iran has targeted energy facilities of its crude-producing neighbors and has attacked and threatened tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, effectively closing the vital waterway through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s crude oil passes.
Mixed Messaging on War Goals
Trump continued to offer conflicting statements regarding the length and objectives of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has significantly expanded across the Middle East and caused global oil prices to surge. He claimed that Iran’s “actual top leader was killed yesterday,” likely referring to Israel’s claim of eliminating powerful national security chief Ali Larijani.
Trump described the conflict as “just a military operation to me” and stated, “we’ll be leaving in pretty much the very near future,” but remained ambiguous about his political plans for Iran following the war. “We’re going to try to get people that are going to run it well,” he said.
The US-Israeli strike on February 28 resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s long-serving supreme leader, and Iran has appointed his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his replacement, despite reports of the son’s injuries.