Trump Confronts NATO Over Iran Stance as U.S. Revokes Oil Licenses Amid Strait of Hormuz Attacks

ANKARA, TURKEY — President Donald Trump has sharply criticized the NATO alliance over its lack of support for recent United States military action in Iran, arriving at the NATO summit in Turkey just as Washington revoked Tehran’s license to sell oil globally following maritime attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.

The simultaneous escalation on multiple geopolitical fronts has sent ripples through global markets. Following the announcement that the U.S. has revoked the license authorizing Iran to sell its oil on the world market, the U.S. dollar surged against major currencies. Investors flocked to the dollar as a hedge against energy-driven inflation, driving light sweet crude to approximately $72 a barrel—up from $68 the previous day—while Brent crude reached $75.75.

NATO Tensions and the Iran Fallout
The economic squeeze on Iran comes as President Trump touched down in Ankara for the NATO summit, where he was greeted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Within minutes of his arrival, Trump made his frustrations with the 77-year-old military alliance publicly known, specifically targeting Italy, Germany, France, the U.K., and Spain for refusing to back U.S. military action in Iran.

“I was very disappointed with NATO,” Trump stated, noting that he was “testing” the alliance to see if they would reciprocate American support. “Why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars and they’re not there for us?”

Trump added that if the summit were not being held in Turkey, where he considers Erdoğan a “very strong leader,” it is possible he would not have attended at all.

The President’s rhetoric has reignited questions about the future of U.S. participation in NATO, especially given his history of withdrawing from major international pacts. Trump previously pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accord in 2017, the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018, and NAFTA in 2020.

Expert Analysis: A Stronger NATO Beneath the Rhetoric?
Despite the fiery rhetoric, geopolitical experts suggest an actual U.S. withdrawal from the 32-nation alliance is highly unlikely. Ian Bremmer, president and founder of the Eurasia Group, noted that Trump’s history of exiting agreements is often followed by renegotiation rather than abandonment. For instance, NAFTA was replaced by the stronger USMCA, and while the U.S. exited the original Iran nuclear deal, efforts to negotiate a new one are underway.

Bremmer argued that, functionally, NATO is currently stronger than it was a decade ago. European allies are spending significantly more on their own defense—a shift accelerated by Trump’s pressure during his first term, the Russian invasion of Ukraine under the Biden administration, and the subsequent European takeover of Ukraine’s financial defense. Furthermore, the alliance has expanded to include nations like Finland, which shares a massive border with Russia, and possesses much more advanced weapons systems while the U.S.承担s a smaller financial burden.

Regarding Trump’s endgame, Bremmer suggested the President is primarily targeting specific European leaders he dislikes. With U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer having recently resigned and French President Emmanuel Macron facing elections in 2027, Trump may be positioning himself for more favorable diplomatic relationships in the near future.

The Turkey F-35 Controversy and Israeli Pushback
While criticizing traditional Western allies, Trump has notably leaned toward Turkey. He recently announced the reversal of sanctions levied against Ankara in 2020 and hinted at selling F-35 fighter jets to the country.

This potential arms deal has drawn fierce opposition from Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explicitly warned against providing the advanced jets or their engines to Turkey.

“For a regime infected by the Muslim Brotherhood, an extreme movement that hates America and chants death to America from that side of the spectrum, I don’t think they should be given F-35s,” Netanyahu said. He warned that such a sale would upset the power balance in the Middle East, a stability currently guaranteed by Israeli air superiority and the American military posture in the region.

Strait of Hormuz Escalation
The revocation of Iran’s oil licenses is a direct response to escalating maritime hostilities. Over the last 24 hours, Iranian forces attacked three different vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including a Saudi oil tanker and a Qatari LNG tanker. The attacks targeted ships utilizing the Omani route, bypassing Iranian-controlled toll routes.

Bremmer pointed out that previous U.S. military strikes along the Iranian coastline failed to deter similar attacks in the past. However, with oil prices hovering around a manageable $70 a barrel, the U.S. is now opting to squeeze Iran financially by removing sanctions waivers.

This financial penalty marks a severe breakdown in recent diplomatic efforts. A recently signed memorandum between the U.S. and Iran included a ceasefire and a strict agreement for no hindrance of ships passing through the Strait. With Iranian forces now firing upon commercial vessels, the U.S. is responding by targeting the regime’s primary source of revenue.