President Trump criticized on Tuesday the refusal of several allies to get involved in securing this strategic passage, access to which has been disrupted since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East.
Donald Trump claims he no longer “needs” NATO’s help. In front of the press, the American president on Tuesday, March 17, called it a “really stupid mistake” the refusal of many countries in the political-military organization to assist the United States in securing the Strait of Hormuz, blocked by Iran following the attack by Israel and the United States.
“I have long said that I wondered if NATO would ever be there for us. So this was a big test, because we don’t need them but they should have been there”, he emphasized. “We helped with Ukraine and they don’t help with Iran, and they all recognize that Iran should not have nuclear weapons,” said Donald Trump, who was hosting the Irish Prime Minister on St. Patrick’s Day. “This is a very bad thing for NATO,” he added.
“We no longer need and we no longer want help from NATO countries. WE HAVE NEVER NEEDED IT”, the American president had previously stated on his Truth Social network, also citing Japan, Australia, and South Korea, other allies who rejected his requests for assistance. In the Oval Office, however, he stated that the United States “would like some help” in detecting mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
When asked about his intentions regarding the transatlantic defense alliance, of which the United States is the pillar, the Republican was vague. “I have nothing specific in mind,” he said, while also mentioning the expenses the United States incur for NATO: “It’s definitely something we should think about.”
