President Trump said Tuesday he doesn’t need NATO allies’ help in breaking Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, though he complained about their lack of initial enthusiasm for assisting America.
Mr. Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, said many allies cheered the U.S.-Israeli effort to knock out Iran’s regime, which for years has supported terror proxies in the region.
“Nobody said, ’Oh, you shouldn’t do it,’” Mr. Trump said.
He said it was disappointing, therefore, to see European allies and others act cool to his bid to resume oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
In the same breath, he said he doesn’t need those allies to achieve his objectives in the waterway.
“We don’t need too much help; we don’t need any help, actually,” Mr. Trump said.
Asked if NATO’s reluctance will result in repercussions from the U.S. side, Mr. Trump said he’s not rethinking America’s commitments but is disappointed.
“I just think it’s not good for a partnership when they say, ‘What you’re doing is a great thing, but we’re not going to help,’” the president said.
Mr. Trump decided to join forces with Israel and launch the operation against Iran on Feb. 28 because he wanted to dismantle Iran’s missile program, stop it from getting a nuclear weapon and end Tehran’s support for terror proxies in the Middle East.
Iran retaliated by striking oil-rich Gulf countries and closing down the Strait of Hormuz, a key channel for tankers carrying oil and other products.
Oil prices have risen to around $100 per barrel, pushing up gas prices for American drivers.
“As soon as that war’s over, which will be soon, your prices are going to drop like a rock. You watch,” Mr. Trump said.
The president weighed in on NATO allies while sitting next to Ireland’s prime minister, or taoiseach, Micheal Martin, in the Oval Office.
Mr. Trump defended his decision to take on the threat from Iran and denied being tugged into the war by Israel.
“I was against Iran long before I ever thought about Israel being against Iran,” he said.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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