President Trump sharply criticizes NATO, says US ‘not ready to leave Iran yet’ but will leave in ‘very near future’

The United States is not ready to leave the military operation in Iran ‌just yet, but would do so in “the very near future,” U.S. President Donald Trump ‌told reporters on Tuesday. 

When asked about a “day after plan” by a reporter, Trump responded, “We have a lot. Look, if we left right now, it would take 10 years for them to rebuild. But, we’re not ready to leave yet.” 

Trump then continued, saying, “We’ll be leaving in the near future.” 

The president also took the opportunity to praise Middle East countries, which he said have provided “great support” to the U.S., while slamming NATO allies for providing “no support.” 

WAR ENDING SOON!

Trump just confirmed Operation Epic Fury is wrapping up in the very near future!

He said if we left right now, Iran would need 10 years to rebuild - but we're not ready to leave yet.

"We'll be leaving in the near future. We'll be leaving in pretty much the… pic.twitter.com/hw0cQ98IY0

— Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) March 17, 2026

Trump’s remarks came while hosting Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at the White House for a St. Patrick’s Day visit. 

Trump repeated a previous claim that the war in Iran was simply “a little excursion” from his focus on improving the U.S. economy and saying it would only be “a couple of weeks. It won’t be much longer.” 

Trump also joked that after killing so many Iranian leaders, “We don’t know who to deal with.” 

However, he harshly criticized America's NATO allies. “We’ve had no support, essentially, no support from NATO,” Trump stated, adding that NATO members are making “a very foolish mistake.” 

"Everyone agrees with us, but they don't want to help. And we, you know, we as the United States have to remember that because we think it's pretty shocking," he added. 

When asked if he planned to take any retaliatory steps over NATO members’ failure to aid in the Iran war, Trump said he had "nothing currently in mind.” 

Over the past few days, President Trump has been trying to raise support from allies for creating a naval force to secure the critical Strait of Hormuz, enabling safe passage for vessels carrying oil, natural gas, and fertilizer products needed for many countries around the world. 

So far, no country has publicly expressed a willingness to join such a coalition. 

On Tuesday, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the president of the United Arab Emirates, said the UAE may join a U.S.-led effort, noting that "big countries" in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe are responsible for ensuring the flow of trade. However, he cautioned that talks were still in progress and that no formal plan had been agreed upon.

On Tuesday, Trump posted a scathing note on his Truth Social account, criticizing the NATO allies for recognizing the need to ensure Iran does not achieve nuclear weapons but being unwilling to provide military assistance for the war against Iran.

“The United States has been informed by most of our NATO ‘Allies’ that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East,” Trump wrote... “this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon.” 

“I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street – We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need,” Trump continued. “Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance – WE NEVER DID!” 

Trump received support from his ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is known as a proponent of NATO and the transatlantic alliance.

In a post on 𝕏, he noted that the Strait of Hormuz "benefits Europe far more than America." After discussing "our European allies’ unwillingness to provide assets" with Trump, he said he had never heard the president "so angry in my life."

"The arrogance of our allies to suggest that Iran with a nuclear weapon is of little concern and that military action to stop the ayatollah from acquiring a nuclear bomb is our problem not theirs is beyond offensive. The European approach to containing the ayatollah’s nuclear ambitions have proven to be a miserable failure."

"The repercussions of providing little assistance to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning are going to be wide and deep for Europe and America. I consider myself very forward-leaning on supporting alliances, however at a time of real testing like this, it makes me second guess the value of these alliances. I am certain I am not the only senator who feels this way," he warned.

While President Trump has frequently criticized NATO allies in the past over what he perceives as an imbalance in the relationship, his remarks toward primarily European countries have become more pointed in recent months.