Trump: NATO Threat & Middle East Speech Planned

London: US President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw the United States from the NATO alliance, citing a lack of support from European allies regarding actions in the Middle East.

Trump Considers NATO Withdrawal

Trump stated that a US withdrawal was “beyond reconsideration” due to the insufficient backing from European leaders for strikes against Iran, including preventing the use of American air bases to defeat the Iranian regime, according to an interview with London’s The Telegraph.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also described NATO as a “one way street” and suggested the US should consider its membership following the war in the Middle East.

Trump characterized NATO as a “paper tiger,” stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin shared the same view.

Despite previous complaints about NATO and calls for increased defense spending from European leaders, Trump claimed last year he was satisfied with long-term funding commitments to the alliance.

He has recently criticized the lack of support from European leaders in the conflict with Iran.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer avoided criticizing Trump and reiterated his position on the war, stating, “This is not our war. We will not be drawn into the conflict. It is not in our national interest.”

Trump is scheduled to deliver a prime-time address on Wednesday at 9pm Washington time (12pm Thursday AEDT), and has suggested the war in Iran would end in the coming weeks.

Trump also stated the US should not be responsible for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, and that countries reliant on it should “go get your own oil.”

US gas prices have risen past $US4 a gallon ($1.53 a litre) for the first time since 2022 due to the ongoing conflict.