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UNITED States President Donald Trump has cast fresh doubt on Washington’s commitment to NATO’s mutual defence principle, linking alliance obligations to what he described as a lack of European support during the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Speaking at an investment forum in Miami on Friday, Reuters cited Trump suggesting that the United States may reconsider its longstanding role within the alliance as the West Asia war enters its fourth week.
“We would have always been there for them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don't have to be, do we?” he said.
“That sounds like a breaking story? Yes, sir. Is that breaking news? I think we just have breaking news, but that's the fact. I've been saying that. Why would we be there for them if they're not there for us? They weren't there for us.”
The remarks are likely to unsettle NATO allies, as they appear to challenge Article 5, the cornerstone of the alliance, which stipulates that an attack on one member constitutes an attack on all.
Trump has repeatedly issued mixed signals on the United States’ willingness to uphold this commitment.
Tensions within the transatlantic alliance have been further strained by reports that European partners were neither consulted nor broadly supportive of recent U.S. military action against Iran.
On the ground, AP reported that the conflict continues to intensify.
An Iranian missile strike on Prince Sultan Air Base wounded at least 12 American service members on Friday, including two who were seriously injured, according to U.S. officials.
In a separate earlier attack, Army Sergeant Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, died after sustaining injuries on March 1.
The regional situation deteriorated further after Israel carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, targeting a heavy-water plant and a uranium-processing site.
Iranian authorities said the attacks caused no casualties or contamination but warned of retaliation.
Despite the escalation, Trump maintained that diplomatic efforts were progressing, stating that talks to end the conflict were “going very well”.
He also extended his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
However, Iran has publicly denied that negotiations with Washington are taking place, even as its control over the Strait of Hormuz raises fears of wider economic disruption.
Reports that Tehran has begun imposing tolls on vessels passing through the waterway have heightened concerns over global energy security and underscored the broader geopolitical stakes of the crisis. - March 28, 2026