Trump calls NATO 'paper tiger' without U.S. over Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump described NATO without the United States as a "paper tiger" in a Truth Social post, accusing the alliance of refusing to confront a nuclear-armed Iran.

Trump wrote that NATO members "didn’t want to go to war to stop a nuclear-armed Iran." He added that the battle has now been "militarily won" with "very little danger for them," yet allies are complaining about high oil prices caused by the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz while declining to help reopen it.

Reopening the strategic waterway would be "a simple military move," Trump said, attributing the high oil prices solely to the blockage. He concluded by calling the allies "Cowards, and we will remember."

Trump has repeatedly urged NATO countries to shoulder a greater share of military and security burdens, often criticizing them for relying excessively on the United States.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical oil shipping lanes, and threats to traffic through it can rapidly elevate global energy prices.

Trump's comments come amid discussions in Washington and among partners on responding to the regional crisis and are likely to heighten tensions with NATO allies.