US President Donald Trump has issued his starkest warning yet over America’s commitment to NATO, declaring the country may no longer “be there” for European allies who have declined to join military operations against Iran.
The President’s extraordinary statement on Friday night suggested Washington could walk away from the transatlantic alliance after member states refused to provide material support during the conflict’s second month.
Speaking at an investment forum in Miami, Mr Trump questioned the fundamental premise of collective defence, stating: “We would have always been there for them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don’t have to be, do we?”
He added: “Why would we be there for them if they’re not there for us? They weren’t there for us.”
The comments represent the most direct threat to NATO’s existence in recent memory, with Mr Trump explicitly linking European inaction on Iran to America’s willingness to honour Article 5—the alliance’s cornerstone provision treating an attack on one member as an attack on all.
European governments have consistently maintained the US-led Iranian campaign does not trigger collective defence obligations, particularly as Washington launched strikes without consulting alliance partners last month. Numerous leaders actively opposed the military action.
Mr Trump’s frustration centres on allies’ refusal to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blockaded, sending oil prices soaring and disrupting global supplies of critical resources including fertiliser.
The President branded the reopening operation “a simple military maneuver” with “very little danger” and “so little risk,” accusing European nations of cowardice whilst complaining about elevated energy costs.
Last week, he shared a social media post declaring: “Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER! They didn’t want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran.” The message concluded: “COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!”
Tensions have intensified as the White House sends contradictory signals about its war aims, with Mr Trump alternating between victory declarations and threats of major escalation, potentially including ground troops.
The conflict expanded on Friday when Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia launched its first missile attack on Israel, raising fears of wider regional involvement and renewed threats to commercial shipping routes.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged Mr Trump is attempting to “put pressure” on Britain to join the campaign. The President has dismissed Sir Keir as “no Winston Churchill” and characterised British aircraft carriers as “toys.”
Relations deteriorated further in 2026 after Mr Trump escalated invasion threats against Greenland, a Danish territory, and baselessly claimed NATO forces avoided frontline combat in Afghanistan.
Reports suggest the President is considering implementing a “pay to play” system requiring 5 per cent defence spending, up from the current 2 per cent threshold.
