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United States President Donald Trump said Washington could withdraw from NATO after allies declined to support American military operations alongside Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Asked by The Telegraph whether he was reconsidering United States membership of the alliance, President Trump replied: “Oh yes… I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration.”
He said NATO had failed to support United States efforts during the conflict with Iran and attempts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.
President Trump also said Iran had requested a ceasefire during the current crisis.
“Iran wants a ceasefire,” he said.
He said the United States had supported Ukraine despite the country not being a member of the alliance.
“We’ve been there automatically, including Ukraine,” he said. “Ukraine wasn’t our problem. It was a test, and we were there for them, and we would always have been there for them. They weren’t there for us.”
President Trump also repeated criticism of NATO’s credibility.
“I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way,” he said.
He also criticised Britain’s military capability and the leadership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“You don’t even have a navy. You’re too old and had aircraft carriers that didn’t work,” he said.
Sir Keir defended the alliance and said NATO remained central to Western security.
“The single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen,” he said.
“It has kept us safe for many decades, and we are fully committed to NATO.”
President Trump’s claim that Iran was seeking a ceasefire comes as disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has raised concerns about global energy supplies and prompted Western governments to consider options to restore safe passage through the waterway.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump warned allies unwilling to support United States operations: “You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio also suggested Washington could reassess its relationship with NATO once the conflict with Iran ends.
“I think there’s no doubt, unfortunately, after this conflict is concluded we are going to have to re-examine that relationship,” he told Fox News.
Any attempt by a United States president to withdraw from NATO would face legal limits. A law passed by Congress in 2023 requires either a two-thirds majority in the Senate or an act of Congress before withdrawal can take place.
Britain is expected to host talks with about 35 countries on restoring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz after the fighting ends. France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands are among the states that have said they are prepared to contribute to efforts to secure the waterway.