President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, accusing the alliance of failing to support U.S. efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with Iran, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The remarks came after NATO and several Asian allies declined requests from the United States to assist in reopening the critical shipping lane, where Iran has disrupted the flow of oil and maritime traffic. According to Trump, the refusal marked a significant moment in assessing the reliability of long-standing alliances.

During the meeting, Trump reiterated his frustration with NATO’s response and framed the situation as a test the alliance failed.

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“They didn't want to get dragged in, but we don't want to get dragged into their wars either. One thing, we're very disappointed. I'll say it publicly. We're very disappointed with NATO because NATO has done absolutely nothing. And I've always said, 25 years ago, I mean, I was somebody that wasn't a politician, but I was always involved in politics, and I understood politics. I said 25 years ago that NATO is a paper tiger, but more importantly, that we'll come to their rescue, but they will never come to ours,” Trump said.

The President pointed to what he described as a pattern of imbalance in the alliance, arguing that while the United States has historically stepped in to support NATO members, the same level of commitment was not shown in this instance.

“And I want you to remember that we said this; they didn't come to our rescue. Now they all want to help when they're annihilated, the other side is annihilated. They said we'd love to send ships. They actually made a statement, a couple of them, that we want to get involved when the war is over. No, it's supposed to get involved with the war's beginning, or even before it begins,” he continued.

Trump also referenced an offer from the United Kingdom, which he said came with conditions tied to the end of hostilities.

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“We had the UK say that we'll send, this is three weeks ago, we’ll send our aircraft carriers— which aren't the best aircraft carriers, by the way, they're toys compared to what we have— but we'll send our aircraft carrier when the war is over. I said, Oh, that's wonderful. Thank you very much. Don't bother. We don't need it, and we don't need it. And we don't need them.”

The President had previously addressed NATO’s refusal last week, telling reporters, “We don’t need help,” while adding that the situation would not be forgotten.

“This was a great test because we don’t need them, but they should have been there,” Trump said at the time. “We as the United States have to remember that, because we think it’s pretty shocking.”

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In earlier remarks, Trump also labeled NATO a “paper tiger” and “cowards,” reinforcing his position that the alliance had failed to act during a critical moment.

He suggested that offers of support after the conflict would not be accepted, stating, “Don't bother. We don't need it.”

Trump indicated that the United States would continue its current course of action in dealing with Iran and maintaining security in the region, emphasizing U.S. military strength.

“In the meantime, with Iran, we're going to keep doing what we've been doing, and nobody's a match for the United States, but they're not a match for the United States. It's small potatoes. That's why I'm so disappointed in NATO, because this was a test for NATO,” he said.

He concluded by warning that the response from NATO would not be forgotten in future dealings with the alliance.

“This was a test. You gonna help us? You don't have to, but if you don't have, you know, if you don't do that, we're going to remember, just remember. Remember this in a number of months from now, remember my statements. They have an expression, a great expression: Never Forget. We can never forget.”

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