WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO on Friday, calling the alliance a “paper tiger” without the United States and accusing allies of refusing to support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said NATO members “didn’t want to join the fight to stop a nuclear powered Iran,” adding that despite the conflict being “militarily won,” allies were unwilling to help secure the key shipping route.“They complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices,” he said.“So easy for them to do, with so little risk. Cowards, and we will remember!” he added.Regional tensions have intensified since the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, with the conflict reportedly killing around 1,300 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Iran has responded with drone and missile attacks across the region and has effectively shut down most commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route that typically handles about 20 million barrels per day and roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade.Oil prices have surged amid the escalation, with Brent crude rising to $108.21 per barrel in early trading, marking an increase of nearly 50% since the start of the conflict.WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO on Friday, calling the alliance a “paper tiger” without the United States and accusing allies of refusing to support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said NATO members “didn’t want to join the fight to stop a nuclear powered Iran,” adding that despite the conflict being “militarily won,” allies were unwilling to help secure the key shipping route.“They complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices,” he said.“So easy for them to do, with so little risk. Cowards, and we will remember!” he added.Regional tensions have intensified since the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, with the conflict reportedly killing around 1,300 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Iran has responded with drone and missile attacks across the region and has effectively shut down most commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route that typically handles about 20 million barrels per day and roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade.Oil prices have surged amid the escalation, with Brent crude rising to $108.21 per barrel in early trading, marking an increase of nearly 50% since the start of the conflict.
