US President Donald Trump on Tuesday asserted that America does not require support from its allies as it continues military operations against Iran, declaring that it is “by far the most powerful country anywhere in the world and they do not need the help of anyone!”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said several Nato allies had declined to participate in the US-led military campaign.
“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,” he 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,” he added.
The US President also claimed significant military success against Iran.
“Fortunately, we have decimated Iran’s military their navy is gone, their air force is gone, their anti-aircraft and radar is gone and perhaps, most importantly, their leaders at virtually every level, are gone never to threaten us, our Middle Eastern allies, or the world, again!”
He said that given these developments, US reliance on allies was no longer necessary. “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!”
Trump’s remarks come amid visible strain in Washington’s ties with its allies after several countries responded cautiously or declined his call to deploy warships to escort merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier on Monday, Trump urged allies to help secure the crucial waterway, which carries roughly a fifth of global crude oil supply.
“We strongly encourage the other nations to get involved with us and get involved quickly and with great enthusiasm,” he told reporters at a White House event.
However, key allies signalled reluctance to participate in any military mission. Canada said it had not been consulted on the US-Israeli strikes that triggered the conflict and would not take part in offensive operations.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London was working with partners on a “viable” plan to reopen the strait but ruled out a Nato-led mission, while Germany reiterated that the conflict was “not a matter for Nato.”
Other countries, including Japan, Australia, Poland, Spain, Greece and Sweden, have also distanced themselves from potential military involvement.
European Union foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels, showed “no appetite” to expand their existing naval operations to the Gulf, according to the bloc’s top diplomat.
The standoff comes as global oil prices have surged between 40% and 50% following Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and waves of missile and drone strikes across the Gulf, in retaliation for the war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.
Trump warned that a lack of support could have long-term implications for the alliance, telling the Financial Times that it would be “very bad for the future of Nato” if allies refused to step in.
