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Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump has signaled a major potential shift in U.S. foreign policy, stating he is strongly considering withdrawing the United States from NATO after alliance members declined to support American military operations against Iran, including efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph published Wednesday, Trump described NATO as a “paper tiger” and said a U.S. exit from the 77-year-old defensive alliance is now “beyond reconsideration.”
“I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way,” Trump told the British newspaper.
The comments come as the U.S.-led military campaign against Iran, which began on February 28, continues. Trump had pressed NATO allies to contribute naval forces to secure the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint carrying roughly 20% of global oil and gas supplies — but most declined to participate in what they viewed as an offensive operation rather than a defensive one under NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause.
Trump framed the lack of support as a key test of alliance reliability. In recent speeches, he warned that failure to back the U.S. would not be forgotten, adding: “If the ‘big one’ ever happened, I guarantee you they wouldn’t be there.” He also expressed doubt about future U.S. commitments, saying, “We are always going to be there — at least we were; I don’t know anymore, to be honest with you.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the administration’s frustration, calling the relationship with NATO a “one-way street” and indicating that Washington may “re-examine” ties following the conflict. Rubio highlighted allies’ refusal to provide access to military bases as a particular point of tension.
Trump singled out the United Kingdom, criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer and questioning Britain’s military capabilities. “You don’t even have a navy,” he said, while also linking defense issues to broader disagreements over UK energy policy.
The remarks reflect longstanding Trump administration pressure on NATO members to increase defense spending and meet burden-sharing targets. Officials have previously floated structural changes, including a “pay-to-play” model that could restrict decision-making influence for under-contributing members, as well as the potential withdrawal of U.S. troops from Germany.
Trump predicted the Iran conflict could conclude within “two weeks, maybe three,” with the primary objective of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He has indicated the U.S. may wind down operations even if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened.
The developments have raised concerns in European capitals about the future of transatlantic security cooperation. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and other leaders have noted the alliance’s focus on collective defense, while some members cited the lack of prior consultation on the Iran operation as a factor in their reluctance to engage.
The White House has announced that the president will address the nation later today with an update on the Iran situation.
Not Our War!" Starmer Strikes Back at Trump US-UK Alliance Cracks
Britains FM Keir Starmer once again starkly refused to join the war on Iran, straining U.S.-UK ties while military coordination slows, base access tightens, & cracks begin to show in one of the West’s most critical security alliances.
In a related issue, the U.S. military is negotiating with Denmark to expand its presence in Greenland, seeking access to three additional sites — including former American bases at Narsarsuaq and Kangerlussuaq. The move would mark the first major U.S. expansion on the Arctic island in decades. Only one U.S. base is currently active on the island, reported NYT.
