President Donald Trump continued his multi-day rampage Friday against NATO countries for rejecting his pleas for assistance with his administration’s war against Iran, calling them “cowards” and a “paper tiger.”
Trump has tried, unsuccessfully, to have NATO countries assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route through which 20% of the world’s oil trade flows, as well as more than 20% of the world’s fertilizer sea trade. In response to the U.S. attack last month, Iran vowed to attack any sea vessels aligned with the United States or its allies attempting to pass through the strait.
“Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER! They didn’t want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
“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. COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!”
On Wednesday, Trump floated a new plan to coerce NATO countries to help with his administration’s war efforts, one that would see the United States “finish off” the Iranian government and hand control of the Strait of Hormuz to NATO countries. As of Friday, Trump’s pleas have yet to yield any commitments.