Korean media: Trump: "No need for South Korea, Japan, NATO support" ... Strongly dissatisfied with allies not participating in the "Hormuz Alliance"

US President Donald Trump announced that regarding military operations against Iran and control of the Hormuz Strait, the US no longer needs support from allied countries such as South Korea, Japan, Australia, and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Analysts say that various allies have shown a passive attitude toward the US's request for troop deployment and the multilateral military "Hormuz Alliance" concept, and Trump has expressed strong dissatisfaction and frustration over this.

On the morning of the 17th local time, Trump posted on his self-created social media platform Truth Social, stating: "Most NATO allies have informed the US that they are unwilling to participate in the US military operations against the Iranian terrorist regime," and made the above remarks.

He said: "Almost all countries strongly agreed with the US action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, yet they still received such notifications," "I have always thought that NATO is 'one-way,' and I am not surprised by their actions." He expressed strong dissatisfaction: "The US spends thousands of billions of dollars annually to protect them, but when it really comes down to it, they don't do anything for us."

Trump emphasized that the US military operations against Iran destroyed Iran's navy and air force and its air defense network, and eliminated the command structure, achieving a decisive success. He argued: "Thanks to these military achievements, the US no longer needs the support of NATO, Japan, Australia, and South Korea, and we didn't need them from the beginning," "As the president of the world's strongest country, I say that the US doesn't need help from anyone."

That day, Trump also expressed strong dissatisfaction during a press conference at the White House: "They are making an extremely foolish mistake," "I am deeply disappointed in NATO, and also in the other three countries." He said: "For many years, the US has spent tens of billions of dollars on NATO, which is one of the reasons for the US fiscal deficit," "In particular, compared to the help we have given them on the Ukraine issue, they don't help us on the Iran issue, and I am very dissatisfied. Without us, Ukraine would have ended in a day."

He said: "Europe does not even provide simple help like minesweepers," "It doesn't cost much, and they don't help, which is very unfair." He also said: "I have always had doubts about whether NATO would stand up for the US," "This incident is a good test case." Trump specifically mentioned British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying: "He does not support it, and I think this is a major mistake," "They have made a lot of money through trade with the US. I have done a lot for them and expected him to come, but he disappointed me."

About whether he will withdraw from NATO, Trump said: "This is clearly part of what needs to be considered," "The US must remember (NATO's refusal to send troops). Because we found this matter shocking."

Analyzing that due to the closure of the global energy transportation bottleneck - the Hormuz Strait, the US repeatedly asked its allies to send warships to escort merchant ships, but the allies did not respond positively. The US judged that continuing to insist on the original requirements was not beneficial, so Trump made the above statements. Currently, some allies including Germany have publicly stated: "The Iran war is not our war," and have drawn clear boundaries with the US. Japan, South Korea, and other countries have also taken a cautious attitude.

The day before, Trump also said: "We have the strongest army in the world, and we don't need allies. We don't really need them, we just want to see their reaction," increasing the pressure on the allies.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original: toutiao.com/article/1859963297466441/

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