'Don't Want Help Anymore': Trump Criticises NATO After Iran Readies To Open Hormuz

Last Updated:April 18, 2026, 07:32 IST

The US President's remarks came amid renewed debate over NATO's role in regional security and energy route stability.

US President Donald Trump on Friday strongly criticised the NATO allies regarding the developments in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the alliance was ineffective during earlier tensions and said that he doesn’t need its help anymore.

Speaking on the situation at the Turning Point USA event, Trump said he had been contacted by NATO after Iran’s announcement to restore commercial access through the strategic waterway.

“Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is almost over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would like some help… and I told them, ‘I would have liked your help two months ago, but now, I really don’t want your help anymore," Trump said.

“Actually, we never needed them. They needed us. They needed us so badly," the US President added.

The US President’s remarks came amid renewed debate over NATO’s role in regional security and energy route stability. Additionally, referring to the alliance as a “paper tiger", Trump suggested that NATO members only reached out after developments had already stabilised.

In contrast, the US President praised regional partners for their role in easing tensions. “Thank you to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar for your great bravery and help," he said in another post.

Iran Opens Hormuz For Commercial Shipping

The development came after Iran announced that commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would remain “completely open" during the ceasefire period.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said, “In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Trump also confirmed the reopening, stating that the waterway is “fully open" and “ready for full passage," while adding that the US naval blockade would remain in place until a final agreement with Iran is concluded.

“The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete," he said.

(With agency inputs)

News world 'Don't Want Help Anymore': Trump Criticises NATO After Iran Readies To Open Hormuz

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