Trump administration signals it is mulling NATO withdrawal after Iran war

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US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering withdrawing from NATO after European allies declined to contribute military forces to the US-Israeli war on Iran, according to multiple reports. The dispute has thrust the 77-year-old alliance into what analysts describe as its worst crisis since its founding.

Coverage comparison

The story has been covered by Al Jazeera, Dawn, Deutsche Welle, The Guardian, and TASS, with each outlet emphasizing different aspects of the situation. Al Jazeera's reporting frames the issue around Trump's disdain for NATO allies and the refusal of European partners to join the war effort, while Dawn describes the situation as an existential challenge for the alliance. Deutsche Welle and The Guardian both highlight the potential future of NATO without the US, and TASS, citing Western media, reports on European officials' concerns that the alliance is "falling apart."

Key claims

Multiple reports, including those from Al Jazeera and Dawn, state that Trump has lashed out at European partners for declining to contribute military forces to the war on Iran. According to these reports, Trump is considering withdrawing from NATO due to European countries' refusal to join the US-Israeli war. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the war as a "test" that the alliance failed, saying, "They were tested and they failed," and adding that it was "quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people."

European allies have increased their defense spending in recent years, a claim carried by multiple sources. At the 2025 NATO summit, members agreed to a nonbinding commitment to raise defense budgets to 5 percent of GDP by 2035, though Spain sought an exemption, as reported by Al Jazeera.

A claim carried by a single source, Al Jazeera, asserts that the US has no obligation to come to the aid of allies should they come under attack, despite Article 5 of the NATO treaty. The report explains that Article 5 states a collective-defense obligation but does not automatically force a military response.

Trump's threats to withdraw from NATO have provoked unprecedented concern among European officials, according to multiple reports. Dawn and Deutsche Welle quote analysts and diplomats saying the alliance has never been in such a dire state. Max Bergmann, a former State Department official, told Reuters, "This is the worst place (Nato) has been since it was founded," a quote carried by Dawn.

A claim carried by a single source, TASS, asserts that NATO's existence is under threat due to the war and Trump's criticism. The same source reports that European officials fear Trump might try to starve NATO of high-level attention and military assets.

A single-source claim, reported by TASS, states that the US provides capabilities that NATO can't easily replace, such as satellite intelligence, as noted by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, who said, "We cannot replace the Americans because NATO is built on alliances."

A claim carried by a single source, TASS, reports that Trump's attacks have united allies against him. Politico, cited by TASS, reported that European officials now share the "grim view" that Trump's attacks confirm a fundamental breach in the alliance.

Another single-source claim, also from TASS, says NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has a strong relationship with Trump and is set to visit Washington to change Trump's view on NATO. However, The Guardian reported that Rutte's closed-door meeting with Trump on Wednesday did not go smoothly, with an unnamed European official describing it as "nothing but a tirade of insults."

Perspectives

US Administration

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump's position, stating that NATO allies were "tested and they failed," and criticized allies for turning their backs on the American people despite US funding for their defense.

European Officials

EU High Representative Kaja Kallas expressed concern about the state of the transatlantic relationship, noting that "a relationship is always a two-way street." European officials, as reported by Politico and cited by TASS, fear the alliance is already "falling apart" and that Europe cannot wait for it to be "completely dead."

NATO and Analysts

Former US ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder described the alliance as "broken," saying tensions over Iran have thrust NATO into its "worst crisis" in history. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who previously dismissed the idea of Europe defending itself without the US as a "silly thought," met with Trump in Washington in an attempt to soothe tensions, though reports suggest the meeting was confrontational.

Some sources, citing Politico, suggest Trump's threats may be a "bluff," noting that the US has taken no concrete steps to reduce its participation in NATO and that withdrawal would require Senate approval. One diplomatic source said the alliance still serves core US strategic interests.