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Trump says US no longer needs NATO help in defending Strait of Hormuz

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Trump says US no longer needs NATO help in defending Strait of Hormuz

2026-03-18 11:40 Last Updated At:13:14

The United States has been informed by most of its NATO allies that they "don't want to get involved" with its military operation against Iran, and the country will "no longer 'need,' or desire" any help from NATO allies or any other countries in the world to defend the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday.

"We no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance -- WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"We have had such Military Success ... In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!" Trump said.

Trump again criticized NATO for not helping the United States.

"I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street -- We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need," Trump said.

Speaking at a White House press conference on the same day, Trump repeatedly voiced dissatisfaction over what he described as insufficient support from NATO allies.

He said a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is something the country "should think about," adding that such a decision might not necessarily require congressional approval.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that France would not take part at this stage in any operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, adding that only when "the situation is calmer" would France be willing to work with relevant countries to help escort ships through the waterway.

Also on Tuesday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said before a government meeting that the current conflict in the Middle East does not directly threaten Poland's national security, and that Warsaw would not send troops to Iran.

Tusk stressed that Poland has other obligations within NATO, and that its existing naval forces must serve security needs in the Baltic Sea, a point he said allies, including the United States, clearly understand.

On the same day, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, while visiting Britain, said there was "no such possibility" of deploying a ship to the strait.

One day earlier, while rebuking allies for their reluctance to join the White House-proposed Strait of Hormuz escorts, Trump said he would "soon" announce "a couple" of countries that have offered their help.

"Numerous countries have told me they're on the way," Trump said Monday, though he failed to name any.

The United States and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, The ongoing military strikes have disrupted global shipping, sent oil prices soaring and shaken the global economy.

Trump says US no longer needs NATO help in defending Strait of Hormuz

Trump says US no longer needs NATO help in defending Strait of Hormuz

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has renewed his urgent call for an end to the Middle East conflict to prevent the worsening global hunger crisis, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press briefing, Haq quoted the UN Chief as saying that amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East, diplomacy must prevail.

He also cited the warnings from UN agencies that the conflict in the Middle East is feared to plunge tens of millions more into food insecurity. "The secretary general asserts once more that the war in the Middle East must stop, diplomacy must prevail, all Security Council resolutions must be implemented. The latest one, Resolution 2817, must be respected as we see that countries in the Gulf continue to be targeted," Haq said.

"And the World Food Program (WFP) is warning today that the total number of people around the world facing acute levels of hunger could reach record numbers in 2026 if the escalation in the Middle East continues to destabilize the world's economy. New analysis by WFP estimates that almost 45 million more people could fall into acute food insecurity or worse if the conflict does not end by the middle of the year, and if oil prices remain above 100 dollars a barrel. These would add to the 318 million people around the world who are already food insecure," he said.

Haq also highlighted the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz, noting that the key to restoring its safe and secure operation lies in bringing an end to the conflict.

He said that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would travel to Brussels later on Tuesday for urgent consultations with European officials on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and follow-up safeguard measures.

UN chief renews urgent call for end to Middle East conflict to prevent worsening global hunger crisis

UN chief renews urgent call for end to Middle East conflict to prevent worsening global hunger crisis

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