Trump Questions U.S. Support for NATO After Strait of Hormuz Dispute
DUBLIN, IRELAND — President Donald Trump revived his criticism of NATO on Saturday, September 12, questioning why Washington should continue supporting the alliance after members refused to assist the U.S. in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking in Dublin during a two-day visit to Ireland, Trump recalled how NATO allies declined his request to help secure the critical waterway following tension with Iran. Suggesting the matter was far from settled, the president warned, “You’ll be hearing that later.”
Trump Questions U.S. Support for NATO
DUBLIN, IRELAND — President Donald Trump stated that NATO’s refusal to assist in the Strait of Hormuz indirectly saved the U.S. money because he chose not to push members aggressively for military support.
“I said, ‘Would you like to help us with the Hormuz Strait?’” Trump said, recalling his request to NATO leaders. “No, would rather not get involved.”
Linking the refusal to broader U.S. commitments, Trump questioned, “You know, but I put it down because why the hell are we helping them?” He added, “So, you’ll be hearing that later,” without elaborating further.
Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration over NATO’s response to the Iran conflict. In June, during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump noted that European allies had not joined the U.S. campaign. “We didn’t need help on this at all. We demolished them in literally the first week,” Trump said of Iran, adding that while assistance wasn’t required, “it would have been nice if they said that.”
NATO Chief Defends European Support
During their June meeting, Rutte pushed back on Trump’s criticisms, highlighting that European allies provided key support through military bases.
“When you look at the numbers, four to five thousand U.S. planes [were] taking off from bases in Europe in the six weeks this war took place,” Rutte explained. “I know there have been isolated cases about which you are really disappointed, but generally speaking, your European allies have been there.”
While acknowledging Trump’s frustration, Rutte maintained that those were “isolated cases.” Trump acknowledged that Rutte likely would have assisted if requested, calling him a “great guy, great leader, great secretary-general.”
However, at the NATO summit in Turkey in July, Trump again targeted European nations for declining to join the Iran campaign. He singled out Spain as a “terrible partner in NATO” and renewed threats to cut off trade ties.
Prior Disputes Over the Strait of Hormuz
Trump’s recent comments echo demands he made in March, when he urged NATO allies to deploy military forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz, warning it would be “very bad for the future of NATO” if they declined.
No NATO ally committed military forces to the conflict, leaving control of the strategic waterway as a central issue in ongoing U.S.–Iran negotiations.