WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday sharply criticized NATO allies for not stepping up militarily in the ongoing U.S. and Israeli campaign targeting Iran, saying the United States does not need assistance from its partners to finish the fight.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the United States is capable of dealing with Iran on its own. “We don’t need too much help, and actually, we don’t need any help,” he said. Trump added that he was not surprised by the lack of military support from NATO countries. According to him, he could have pushed allies harder to get
involved but chose not to. “If I had really pushed them, they probably would be helping. But we don’t need help,” Trump said.
The U.S. president also issued a warning to NATO leaders, saying the alliance was making a “very foolish mistake.” Trump questioned whether NATO would stand by the United States during a time of crisis. “I’ve long wondered whether NATO would ever be there for us,” he said.
Shortly before the media briefing, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social, criticizing allied nations for relying heavily on U.S. protection while offering little in return. He wrote that the United States spends “hundreds of billions of dollars” each year defending allied countries but receives little support when it faces its own challenges. “NATO has been a one-way street. We protect them, but they do nothing for us when we need them,” Trump wrote.
Trump further said the United States no longer needs assistance from NATO countries. He also mentioned that support from countries such as Japan, Australia, or South Korea is unnecessary. “As President of the United States of America, by far the most powerful country in the world, we do not need the help of anyone,” he said.
However, Trump emphasized that Israel remains the key military partner of the United States in confronting Iran. He claimed that Iran’s military capabilities have been severely weakened during the ongoing conflict. According to Trump, Iran’s naval forces, air force, and air defense systems have largely been destroyed. “Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their anti-aircraft and radar systems are gone,” he said, adding that many senior Iranian leaders are no longer in power.
Speaking further to reporters, Trump claimed that Iran’s military structure has been almost completely dismantled. “Everything is gone,” he said.
Trump’s remarks are likely to spark fresh debate on the global stage, particularly as tensions in the Middle East remain high and questions continue to emerge about the role of U.S. allies in the conflict.
