President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of NATO, raising the possibility of a U.S. withdrawal and highlighting growing tensions within the transatlantic alliance—particularly over the war involving Iran.
Speaking at a private White House event, Trump accused NATO allies of treating the United States unfairly and warned that similar issues could arise in the future. In a separate interview with a British newspaper, he suggested he may consider pulling the U.S. out of the alliance.
Despite the sharp rhetoric, Trump did not directly reference NATO during a televised address on the Iran conflict, instead urging countries reliant on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to take responsibility for safeguarding their energy supplies.
The comments underscore a widening divide between Washington and its European allies, who have taken varying positions on the conflict and its broader geopolitical implications.
Analysts note that while Trump has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with NATO, any move to withdraw the U.S. would face significant legal, political, and strategic hurdles. At the same time, allied leaders have sought to maintain stability within the alliance, working to manage tensions behind the scenes.
The ongoing friction suggests that disagreements over NATO’s role and burden-sharing—now compounded by the Iran war—are likely to remain a defining feature of Trump’s foreign policy.
