US President Donald Trump has stated that he is strongly considering withdrawing the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
This announcement follows the refusal of several NATO allies to support US military action against Iran.
Trump described NATO as a "paper tiger" and indicated that the decision to leave the alliance is now "beyond reconsideration." The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and growing divisions between the US and its European partners.
According to The Indian Express, Trump’s comments were made during an interview with the Daily Telegraph, where he expressed longstanding doubts about NATO’s credibility.
He specifically criticised the United Kingdom, claiming it "doesn’t even have a navy," and questioned the alliance’s effectiveness in the current geopolitical climate.
As reported by The Hindu, Trump reiterated that his doubts about NATO were not new, stating, “I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Mr Putin knows that too, by the way.”
He emphasised that the lack of allied support during the Iran conflict has solidified his position on the alliance.
In an interview cited by The Guardian, Trump confirmed that the US is considering a NATO exit, again using the term "paper tiger" to describe the alliance. He also criticised European allies for not assisting in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed due to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Recent coverage highlighted Trump’s shifting stance, noting that he initially sought help from NATO allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz but later declared that the US did not need their assistance.
Trump’s fluctuating approach has led to confusion among both American lawmakers and the public.
“If we need their mine boats or if we need anything, any piece of apparatus that they may have because of a situation that they have, they should be jumping to help us. We want them to come and help us with the Strait,” Trump said, before adding, “My attitude is, we don’t need anybody. We’re the strongest nation in the world.”
As noted in an article by The Indian Express, the Iran conflict has exposed and widened existing fractures within the transatlantic alliance.
Several European countries, including Italy, Spain, and France, have refused to allow US military assets to use their airspace or bases for operations related to the Iran war.
European leaders have emphasised that the conflict is not Europe’s war and have expressed reluctance to be drawn into the hostilities.
Statements from Trump have further underscored his frustration with NATO allies, as he told them to "go get your own oil" and asserted that securing the Strait of Hormuz is not America’s responsibility.
He indicated that the US could end its offensive in Iran within weeks and that future security of the strait would be left to countries that rely on it.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded to Trump’s remarks by reaffirming Britain’s commitment to NATO, calling it “the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen.”
Starmer stated that he would act in the British national interest in all decisions, regardless of external pressure as recent developments showed.
“Whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I am going to act in the British national interest in all the decisions I make,” Starmer said.
European reluctance to participate in the Iran conflict has been attributed to concerns over energy prices, inflation, and the potential for escalation. Many European policymakers are focused on avoiding further economic fallout and are advocating for a multilateral approach to regional security as analysis showed.
Trump’s repeated criticism of NATO and European allies, combined with his statements about a possible US withdrawal, have contributed to growing uncertainty about the future of the transatlantic alliance. The situation remains fluid, with both sides reassessing their strategic priorities as details emerged.
Note: This article is produced using AI-assisted tools and is based on publicly available information. It has been reviewed by The Quint's editorial team before publishing.