Headlines
Trump Calls NATO "cowards" Over Lack of Support in Iran War
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 20, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 20, 2026
Quick Summary
President Trump slammed NATO on March 20, 2026, calling the alliance “cowards” and a “paper tiger” for refusing to support the U.S.–Israel war in Iran, warning the lack of backing will be remembered.
Trump calls NATO "cowards" over lack of support in Iran war
Trump Criticizes NATO Allies Amid Iran Conflict
WASHINGTON, March 20 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump assailed NATO allies on Friday over their lack of support for the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, calling the longtime U.S. allies "cowards."
Trump's Social Media Statements
"Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!" Trump said in a social media post.
Calls for Allied Support in the Strait of Hormuz
Trump has been calling for major U.S. allies and others, none of which were consulted or advised on the war, to help secure the safety of shipping through the Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has roiled global markets, killed thousands and displaced millions since U.S.-Israel strikes began on Feb. 28.
Complaints Over Oil Prices and Military Involvement
The U.S. president complained NATO countries did not want to join the fight against Iran, yet still complain about high oil prices.
"Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices. So easy for them to do, with so little risk," he wrote.
"COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!"
Responses from NATO Allies
Germany, Britain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada pledged in a joint statement on Thursday to join "appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait." But German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made clear that this presupposed an end to combat.
European Leaders Emphasize De-escalation
French President Emmanuel Macron said after a European Union summit in Brussels that defending international law and promoting de-escalation was "the best we can do," adding: "I have not heard anyone here express a willingness to enter this conflict — quite the opposite."
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; editing by Michelle Nichols and Caitlin Webber)
Key Takeaways
- •Trump accused NATO of cowardice over refusal to assist in the Iran conflict, labeling it a “paper tiger” in a social media post (apnews.com).
- •Most NATO members, along with key Indo-Pacific allies like Japan, South Korea and Australia, have declined to join U.S. efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz or participate in the war (apnews.com).
- •European and Asian partners emphasize NATO’s defensive mandate and distance themselves from what they characterize as a U.S.-led offensive war; this divergence fueled severe rhetoric from Trump (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Trump calls NATO "cowards" over lack of support in Iran war
1What did Trump say about NATO regarding the Iran war?
Trump called NATO allies 'cowards' for not supporting the US-Israel war against Iran.
2How did Trump describe NATO without US support?
Trump described NATO as a 'paper tiger' without US involvement.
3What was the context of Trump's criticism of NATO?
The criticism came amid the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran and lack of NATO support.
4Where did Trump make his comments about NATO?
Trump made his remarks in a social media post.
