WASHINGTON, March 20, (V7N) — US President Donald Trump on Friday branded NATO allies “cowards” for failing to heed his demand for military assistance against Iran to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil supplies.

“Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, accusing partners of refusing to join the fight against Iran while complaining about soaring energy prices. “So easy for them to do, with so little risk. COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!” he added.

The 79‑year‑old Republican, long skeptical of the Western alliance, has launched repeated attacks on NATO in recent days. His remarks came as six major powers — Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands — said Thursday they were ready to “contribute to appropriate efforts” to secure the Strait of Hormuz, but stressed any initiative would only follow a ceasefire in the Middle East war.

Germany and Italy have ruled out immediate military involvement, while France has called for a UN‑backed framework once hostilities end. None of the countries Trump has urged to help were consulted before the US‑Israeli mission against Iran began.

An effective Iranian blockade has paralyzed commercial shipping through the strait, which normally carries about 20 percent of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas. Global oil prices have spiked as a result of the war, which erupted on February 28 when the United States and Israel began bombing Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate with strikes across the Gulf.

Trump has alternated between insisting Washington can secure the waterway alone and demanding allied support, underscoring tensions within NATO as the conflict continues to disrupt global energy markets.

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