Trump calls NATO "cowards" over lack of support in Iran war - Reuters

Reuters
March 20, 2026
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3 min read

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Trump criticizes NATO allies as "cowards" for refusing to support U.S. military operations against Iran.

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President Trump called NATO members "cowards" for failing to support U.S. military efforts against Iran, escalating his longstanding criticism of the alliance's burden-sharing. Trump has repeatedly demanded that European NATO partners increase defense spending and contribute more directly to U.S.-led military operations in the Middle East. The rebuke underscores tensions within the alliance over how members should respond to Iranian threats and their respective military commitments. NATO has historically focused on territorial defense in Europe rather than Middle East operations, a distinction that Trump has argued unfairly shifts costs to Washington. The criticism comes as the Trump administration pursues a more assertive posture toward Iran while pressing allies to align more closely with U.S. security priorities.

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