Hegseth: NATO’s future is uncertain

(SeaPRwire) –   The Pentagon chief has stated that US President Donald Trump will determine his stance on the alliance after concluding the conflict with Iran.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to reaffirm Washington’s dedication to NATO’s collective defense principle, citing the alliance’s unwillingness to support or engage in the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

During a Tuesday briefing at the Pentagon, Hegseth said President Donald Trump will have the final say on America’s future role in NATO, but he observed that the Iran war has “laid bare” significant problems within the bloc.

“The world has seen a great deal regarding what our allies are prepared to do for America when we launch an endeavor of this magnitude for the free world,” Hegseth remarked. He contended that Iranian missiles threatened “allies and others,” not the US itself, and that these nations met Washington’s call for help with “questions, or roadblocks, or hesitations.”

“The President is making the point that an alliance isn’t much of one if nations are unwilling to support you in your time of need,” Hegseth added.

In a Wednesday interview with the Telegraph, Trump confirmed he is seriously weighing a US withdrawal from NATO should it not participate in the war on Iran, calling the alliance a “paper tiger.”

Echoing this sentiment, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News that Washington would need to “re-examine” its NATO membership once the Iran war concludes. He argued, “if NATO only means we defend Europe when attacked, but they deny us basing rights when we require them, that’s not a favorable deal. It’s difficult to remain involved under those terms.”

Several NATO members have objected to the unprovoked US-Israeli war against Iran. Key allies like France and Spain have publicly declined to take part in the operation or permit American forces to use their territories or airspace for offensive actions.

Trump has frequently criticized alliance members for their hesitancy, calling them “cowards” online and asserting that NATO operates as “a one-way street,” adding that the US “no longer ‘need[s]’, or desire[s], the NATO countries’ assistance.”