Trump Says NATO 'Wasn’t There' During Iran Crisis, Floats Possible US Exit

Last Updated:April 09, 2026, 11:34 IST

Trump said NATO “wasn’t there” for the US during the Iran crisis and again referenced Greenland in a strongly worded social media post.

US President Donald Trump criticised the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in a strongly worded social media post, expressing dissatisfaction with the alliance’s role during the recent conflict linked to Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

In an all-caps message posted after a closed-door meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump signalled continued frustration with the military bloc, raising questions about Washington’s confidence in the alliance’s support during times of conflict.

“NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN. REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!"

According to the Associated Press (AP), the post came after discussions that were expected to calm tensions between Trump and NATO leadership following disagreements related to the Iran war.

TENSIONS AFTER TRUMP-RUTTE MEETING

The Associated Press reported that Trump repeated his complaint about NATO after meeting Rutte on Wednesday.

The talks were expected to help ease tensions amid Trump’s anger toward the alliance’s response during the Iran conflict.

Ahead of the private meeting, Trump had suggested that the United States could consider leaving NATO after member countries did not respond to his call for assistance when Iran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that triggered rising gas prices.

Following the meeting, Trump’s social media post indicated that his grievances with the alliance remain unresolved.

CEASEFIRE WITH IRAN PROVIDES TEMPORARY RELIEF

The meeting took place after the United States and Iran agreed late Tuesday to a two-week ceasefire that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The development followed heightened tensions after Trump warned of potential US strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, stating that “a whole civilization will die tonight."

The ceasefire is seen as an attempt to de-escalate tensions after the disruption of a vital global shipping corridor.

Despite the temporary pause in hostilities, Trump has maintained that NATO did not provide the level of support he expected during the crisis.

WHITE HOUSE ACKNOWLEDGES NATO EXIT DISCUSSION

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump had discussed the possibility of leaving NATO ahead of the meeting with Rutte.

“I think it’s something the president will be discussing in a couple of hours with Secretary-General Rutte," Leavitt said.

Trump has been a longtime critic of NATO and has repeatedly argued that member countries should contribute more toward collective defence commitments.

NATO’S MUTUAL DEFENCE PRINCIPLE UNDER SPOTLIGHT

AP noted that NATO was founded in 1949 to counter Cold War-era threats to European security and is built around a mutual defence commitment among its 32 member nations.

Under this principle, an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. The provision has been invoked only once, following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

News world Trump Says NATO 'Wasn’t There' During Iran Crisis, Floats Possible US Exit

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