Iran Claims Control of Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions with US
Trump Criticizes NATO over Lack of Support in Iran Conflict
Apr 09, 2026US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized NATO, accusing the alliance of failing to support the United States during tensions involving Iran. His remarks came after a private meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House.
In a post on Truth Social following the meeting, Trump said that NATO was not present when the US needed support and warned that the alliance might not stand by Washington in future conflicts either. He also reiterated concerns about the reliability of US allies.
Rutte described the meeting as “very frank and very open,” suggesting that both sides engaged in direct and candid discussions. However, no formal policy decisions or announcements were made after the talks.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump had raised the possibility of the United States withdrawing from NATO, particularly as several member countries resisted US calls to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route. The issue has gained urgency amid rising oil prices and regional instability.
The discussions also touched on broader strategic coordination, including securing maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic efforts related to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the option of leaving NATO remains under consideration, though no immediate decision has been taken.
In a separate meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with Rutte, focusing on increasing coordination and encouraging greater burden-sharing among NATO allies, according to the State Department.
The developments highlight ongoing tensions between the United States and its European partners over military commitments and strategic priorities, even as the alliance continues to address global security challenges.
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