President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the United States had been informed by most of its NATO allies that they did not want to get involved with the country's military operation in Iran, a move he described as a "very foolish mistake."
U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio take part in a meeting with Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheal Martin at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 17, 2026. Reuters/Evan Vucci
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the United States had been informed by most of its NATO allies that they did not want to get involved with the country's military operation in Iran, a move he described as a "very foolish mistake."
But Trump gave no indication that he plans to punish NATO allies for their stances, as he took questions from reporters in the Oval Office during the St. Patrick's Day visit of Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin.
Trump said NATO countries were supportive of the joint U.S.-Israeli war, which has now entered its third week, even as they did not want to get involved.
"I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake," Trump said. "Everyone agrees with us, but they don't want to help. And we, you know, we as the United States have to remember that because we think it's pretty shocking," he added.
As for whether he would retaliate against NATO allies for holding back, Trump said he had "nothing currently in mind."
The president in the past has threatened to withdraw the United States from NATO but did not bring that up on Tuesday.
Trump called on nations to help police the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil is transported, after Iran responded to U.S.-Israeli attacks by using drones, missiles and mines to effectively close the channel for tankers.
But several U.S. allies said on Monday they had no immediate plans to send ships to help unblock the strait, effectively rebuffing Trump's plea for military support.
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that "Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID!" He singled out Japan, Australia and South Korea.
By Steve Holland
Iran has warned the United States that it would respond forcefully to an Israeli offensive on a mountainous ridge in southern Lebanon where Iranian military personnel are holed up alongside Hezbollah fighters, three officials briefed on the message told Reuters.
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the renewed U.S. campaign against Iran would not continue for "too long" after the biggest exchange of fire between Tehran and Washington since July.
Top aides to President Donald Trump are pushing to keep the Iran war from escalating before November's midterm elections to staunch Republican electoral losses, four people familiar with the discussions said, a strategy already under strain as the U.S. and Iran exchanged back-and-forth attacks overnight.
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