Trump warns NATO faces “very bad future” if allies refuse to help US in Iran. Speaking with direct urgency, the former US president signaled that the alliance could face serious consequences if member nations fail to support Washington in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint critical to global energy flows.
In an interview, Trump pressed allied nations to contribute actively to securing the narrow waterway, stressing that Europe and China rely on Gulf oil shipments more heavily than the United States. “It is only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” he said. Trump added that a negative or delayed response from NATO could have long-term repercussions for the alliance itself.
The call comes as Trump seeks cooperation from several major economies, including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, to coordinate efforts in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. The waterway, situated between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments, making it a linchpin in global energy security. Tensions have intensified after US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets more than two weeks ago prompted Tehran to restrict commercial shipping through the channel. The disruption has fueled volatility in global oil markets, with prices spiking since the conflict began.
Trump expressed skepticism about the speed and willingness of allies to respond. He referenced NATO’s past support for Ukraine, highlighting the alliance’s previous commitments far from American shores. “We’ve been very sweet. We didn’t have to help them with Ukraine. Ukraine is thousands of miles away. But we helped them. Now we’ll see if they help us,” he said.
On the specifics of allied support, Trump outlined the need for naval and military assets capable of mitigating threats along Iran’s coastline. This includes minesweepers, drones, and other naval forces to neutralize potential hazards in the Gulf. He also emphasized that China should play a role in stabilizing the route, given its heavy reliance on oil transiting the Strait, ahead of his planned talks with President Xi Jinping later this month.
Trump’s frustration extended to the United Kingdom, which he said was slow to respond with naval commitments after a phone call with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He further warned that the United States could escalate military action, including additional strikes on Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export hub, if tensions continue to rise.
The conflict has already claimed lives and damaged allied equipment. A French soldier was reportedly killed by an Iranian drone in Iraq, and an Italian aircraft was destroyed at a military base in Kuwait. Reports of Russian assistance to Iran via satellite intelligence have also surfaced, though Trump noted he could not verify the claims.
Analysts warn that if shipping through the Strait remains disrupted, the crisis could escalate into a broader regional confrontation, threatening global energy stability. Trump’s statements underline a clear message: NATO’s response in the Gulf will have implications far beyond the immediate conflict, shaping the future of the alliance itself.
