Former US President Donald Trump has stirred global debate by suggesting that the United States could reconsider its membership in NATO following the ongoing Iran conflict. His remarks have raised fresh questions about the future of the world’s most powerful military alliance.

Trump Questions NATO’s Relevance
In an interview published on April 1, Trump said he is “seriously considering” withdrawing the US from NATO and would take a final decision after the Iran war concludes. He described the alliance as a “paper tiger” and reiterated his long-standing criticism of its effectiveness.

“I never liked NATO. I will decide after the war is over,” he said, indicating a potential shift in US foreign policy if he returns to power.

Strained Alliance Over Iran Conflict
Trump also expressed frustration over the lack of support from NATO allies during the Iran crisis. Drawing a comparison with the Ukraine war, he said the US stood by Europe despite it being “Europe’s war,” but felt abandoned when dealing with Iran.

“We supported Ukraine, but when it was our turn, we were left alone,” he remarked.

Criticism of Allies, Including UK
The former president also took aim at key allies, including the United Kingdom. He criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, questioning the strength of the UK’s military and suggesting its priorities were misplaced.

Meanwhile, Starmer, addressing his nation, maintained that the Iran conflict does not directly involve the UK and emphasized his responsibility to avoid unnecessary military engagement.

Europe Distances Itself
Several NATO members, including France, Germany, and Italy, have reportedly distanced themselves from the conflict, describing it as primarily linked to Israel rather than a broader alliance issue. This divergence has further exposed cracks within the bloc.