Speaking to reporters at the White House during a visit by Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump said NATO countries support the US-Israeli campaign against Iran but are unwilling to take part.
“I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake,” Trump said. “Everyone agrees with us, but they don’t want to help. And we, as the United States, have to remember that because we think it’s pretty shocking.”
Trump did not indicate that he plans to retaliate against allies for their position, the Reuters news agency reported.
“I have nothing currently in mind,” he said when asked whether there would be consequences.
In comments for the Financial Times on Sunday, Trump warned that NATO could face a "very bad future" if allies do not respond to his call to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has previously threatened to withdraw the United States from NATO, but did not raise the issue on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Over the weekend, Trump called on China as well as European and Asian allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes.
Protesters in Seoul oppose Trump’s request for South Korea to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, March 16, 2026. Photo: EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN
Iran has used drones, missiles and naval mines to effectively disrupt tanker traffic in the waterway in response to US-Israeli strikes, according to media reports.
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Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters