US President Donald Trump, in an interview with The Telegraph, stated that he is seriously considering the possibility of the United States withdrawing from NATO. This move comes amid the refusal of allies to support an operation against Iran. Trump claimed that the alliance failed to provide the expected support to the US, casting doubt on its effectiveness and raising concerns about its future cohesion.
Trump allegedly remarked, "NATO never had an influence on me. I always knew they were paper tigers," adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a similar view. He emphasized that allies did not respond to Washington's calls for assistance, despite the US having previously supported partners, including in the situation around Ukraine, highlighting a perceived imbalance in commitments.
Following the outbreak of conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran on February 28, shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has been paralyzed. According to Iranian sources, the republic controls this strategically vital route, through which about 20% of the world's oil and up to 30% of liquefied natural gas supplies pass. Washington attempted to rally allies for a military operation in the region, but Germany, France, Italy, and Spain declined to participate.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz asserted that NATO is a defensive alliance and not a tool for interventions. The United Kingdom limited itself to exploring possible support options, while Paris and Rome preferred to engage in direct negotiations with Tehran. Later, Sweden also refused to participate, citing an inability to influence the regional situation.
In this context, Trump warned that NATO faces a "very bad future" if allies continue to refuse aid to the US. He also declared that Washington no longer intends to support countries that did not take part in the operation, labeling them "cowards." These statements underscore deepening fissures within the alliance and signal potential shifts in the global posture of the US regime, with significant implications for international security and diplomacy.
Source: kun.uz