President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States does not need NATO’s help in its war with Iran, after most alliance members declined to join the military operation.
“The United States has been informed by most of our NATO ‘Allies’ that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump’s post comes after he called for international assistance securing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. He warned on Sunday that NATO would face a “very bad” future if it did not help open the strait.
“I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street — We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need,” Trump said.
Despite the lack of support, Trump said that the United States is no longer seeking NATO assistance, saying the United States had already “decimated” Iran’s military, including its navy and air force.
“Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea,” Trump said. “In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!”
As Iranian officials have pledged to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, Trump said Sunday that he was asking other countries, including China, for help “policing” the strait.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday the bloc is “discussing” potential actions, noting it is in Europe’s interest to keep the strait open.
Oil prices have surged since the start of Operation Epic Fury on February 28. Brent crude rose above $100 per barrel on Tuesday, while the national average for gasoline reached $3.79 a gallon, up from $2.91 a month ago.
Trump has said that destroying Iran’s nuclear program would justify higher energy prices.
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