Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States could reconsider its membership in NATO, sharply criticizing the alliance as ineffective and lacking support during the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
In an interview with a British newspaper, Trump indicated that a potential withdrawal from NATO is “beyond reconsideration,” describing the alliance as a “paper tiger” and questioning its credibility on the global stage. His remarks come amid growing frustration within his administration over what he perceives as limited military backing from NATO members during the Iran conflict.
The president’s comments follow reluctance by several NATO countries to deploy forces to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route that has been disrupted following recent hostilities involving the United States and Israel. Trump has openly urged allied nations to take greater responsibility, stating that countries affected by the closure should act independently rather than rely on U.S. intervention.
Trump has also used social media to criticize NATO allies, accusing them of failing to support the United States when needed and warning that Washington may no longer automatically come to their defense. His remarks have raised concerns among member states, as NATO is founded on the principle of collective defence, enshrined in Article 5, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.
Historically, Article 5 has been invoked only once, following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, when allied nations joined U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan, where more than 1,100 non-American troops lost their lives. Despite this, Trump has repeatedly questioned the reliability and commitment of NATO partners.
The president also directed criticism toward the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, particularly over Britain’s refusal to allow the use of its military bases for offensive operations against Iran. While the U.K. later contributed to defensive actions following retaliatory strikes, Trump dismissed its military capabilities and criticized its domestic energy policies.
In response, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed NATO’s importance, calling it the most effective military alliance in history and emphasizing that the United Kingdom would not be drawn deeper into the Iran conflict.
Trump’s latest remarks underscore ongoing tensions between the United States and its allies, raising fresh uncertainty about the future of NATO and the broader stability of long-standing international defence partnerships.