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US President Donald Trump intensified tensions with NATO on Friday, branding alliance members as ‘cowards’ and warning he would remember their refusal to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He asserted that without the United States, NATO would be ineffective.
Trump criticised allies for lamenting elevated oil prices while declining to support operations to secure the vital maritime corridor. He described reopening the strait as a straightforward military task and blamed its disruption for surging global energy costs.
The dispute threatens cohesion within NATO, a cornerstone of Western collective defence since World War II.
Trump’s stance has fluctuated, as he alternately dismissed and sought allied assistance, including requests for minesweepers to maintain navigability.
The crisis intensified after Iran restricted passage through the strait, a 40-kilometre channel carrying nearly 20 per cent of global energy supplies.
The disruption triggered shortages and price spikes worldwide, including in the United States.
European allies criticised Washington’s decision to enter the conflict alongside Israel without prior consultation.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France would not participate in operations to reopen the strait, describing the conflict as a discretionary war rather than a defensive necessity.
President Trump maintained that most NATO partners declined involvement in US military actions against Iran.
He has consistently demanded higher defence spending, urging members to allocate five per cent of GDP, a target broadly accepted except by Spain.
Meanwhile, NATO members prioritise European security amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, while Trump remains focused on developments in West Asia and beyond.
Also Read: PM Modi, Bahrain King Discuss West Asia Crisis; Condemn Attacks On Energy Infrastructure
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