US President Donald Trump on Friday sharply criticised Nato allies over their lack of support during the US-Israel war against Iran, calling the longtime US allies “cowards.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Without the US, Nato is a paper tiger!” He accused member nations of refusing to join what he described as a fight to stop a “nuclear-powered Iran,” adding that the conflict had now been “militarily won” with minimal risk to them.
Trump has been calling for major US allies and others, none of which were consulted or advised on the war, to help secure the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has roiled global markets, killed thousands and displaced millions since US-Israeli strikes began on February 28.
The US president complained that Nato countries did not want to join the fight against Iran, yet still complained about high oil prices. He specifically pointed to the Strait of Hormuz, calling it “a simple military manoeuvre” and “the single reason for the high oil prices,” and said allies were unwilling to help despite what he described as low risk.
“Now that the fight is militarily won, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military manoeuvre that is the single reason for the high oil prices. So easy for them to do, with so little risk,” he wrote.
“Cowards, and we will remember,” Trump added.
On Thursday, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada pledged in a joint statement to join “appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait.” However, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated that such efforts would depend on an end to active combat.
French President Emmanuel Macron said after a European Union summit in Brussels that defending international law and promoting de-escalation was “the best we can do,” adding, We are not party to the conflict and, therefore, France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context.”
