Washington, April 7 (NationPress) - US President Donald Trump has vehemently condemned NATO and vital US allies for their lack of support regarding Washington’s military operations against Iran, labeling the alliance as a “paper tiger”.

“NATO is nothing more than a paper tiger,” Trump stated, asserting that the alliance has not stepped up during this conflict.

He expressed frustration that allies had “gone out of their way not to assist” and even refused to offer logistical aid. “They didn’t even want to provide us with landing strips,” he remarked.

Trump extended his criticism to nations like Japan, South Korea, and Australia. “Japan didn’t assist us… Australia didn’t assist us… South Korea didn’t assist us,” he pointed out.

He implied that the United States has shouldered the entire burden of the conflict alone. “NATO is us,” he emphasized, highlighting the US's leading role within the alliance.

These remarks illustrate escalating tensions between Washington and its allies as the conflict in Iran intensifies.

As reported by The Wall Street Journal, numerous US partners perceive Washington’s actions as “unpredictable” and are hesitant to engage in the conflict, despite depending on American security assurances.

The report indicated that the war has posed “an uneasy dilemma” for allies, especially as energy shortages and economic repercussions grow.

Trump also targeted European allies for their lack of participation, stating they had declined to engage despite long-standing relationships.

This absence of allied involvement marks a significant shift from past US-led military engagements, where coalition support was crucial.

“I must say, I'm profoundly disappointed in NATO, very much so. I believe this will leave a lasting mark on NATO in my view,” Trump commented when asked about the situation.

“No, it’s not a threat,” he responded to another inquiry.

“We approached NATO. I didn’t push hard. I simply said, if you wish to assist, great...no, no, we will not help. I said, that’s fine. You don’t want to help -- because I’ve always maintained that NATO is a paper tiger. Indeed, NATO is a paper tiger,” Trump reiterated.

“Putin doesn’t fear NATO. He fears us, very much so, and he has conveyed this to me multiple times. I have come to know him quite well. I know him very well. NATO is a paper tiger. NATO is the US... obviously, they haven’t contributed at all; in fact, they’ve actively avoided helping. They didn’t even want to provide us with landing strips,” he stated.

“Consider it. And it’s not solely NATO. You know who else didn’t assist us? South Korea didn’t help us. You know who else didn’t help us? Australia didn’t help us. You know who else didn’t help us? Japan. We have 50,000 troops in Japan to shield them from North Korea. We maintain 45,000 troops in South Korea to protect us from Kim Jong Un, with whom I have a good rapport, as you know,” Trump concluded.