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United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump has lashed out at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) member-states over their refusal to support the U.S. in the ongoing Iran war by joining US operations in Iran or protecting the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the global crude oil supply passes, has become a dangerous waterway since the United States and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran.
Many shipping companies that transport crude oil across the globe have abandoned the area due to fears of attack. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) had revealed that thousands of seafarers have been stuck since the war began.
This has had a ripple effect globally, as the price of crude oil has increased and the costs of refined petroleum products have spiked.
Trump called on NATO member-states to support its operation to protect the Strait of Hormuz, but many have declined.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described NATO as a “one-way street,” claiming the U.S. spends “hundreds of billions of dollars per year protecting these same countries” while receiving little support in return.
“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.
“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 has consistently declared that the U.S. has caused significant damage to Iran since the February 28 airstrikes and has vowed to hit the country harder, but Iran has refused to bow out and remains unyielding to U, S.’s threats.
While highlighting the U.S.’s supposed gains in the war, Trump noted that the U.S does not need the help of NATO countries in the ongoing escalation.
“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. 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! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump added.
