President Donald Trump has stated that the United States should reconsider its membership in NATO, criticizing American allies for not assisting in the war with Iran.
Membership in NATO, Trump said, is “definitely something we should think about,” while criticizing allies for rejecting his requests for help. Trump said the U.S. was not obliged to help when Russia invaded Ukraine, seeming to equate the war there with the one in Iran.
“We help them, and they didn’t help us, and I think that’s a very bad thing for NATO,” Trump said.
Trump said NATO allies support the U.S. goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon — but are reluctant to get involved in the war.
“Nobody wants Iran to have nuclear weapons because these people are crazy. They are absolutely crazy and they are cruel, violent,” Trump said. “Everyone agrees with that, but they don’t want to help.”
He said the U.S. has taken note of this. “We, as the United States, need to remember this, because we find it quite shocking,” he said.
Asked if there will be consequences for NATO, Trump said: “Well, no, I just think it’s not good for a partnership when they say: What you’re doing is a great thing, but we won’t help.”