President Donald Trump has signaled that the United States could withdraw from the Iran war within weeks — with or without a diplomatic deal — while simultaneously threatening to pull America out of NATO if European allies do not help stop Iran from blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a double shock that has sent oil prices soaring and left allies scrambling.
“I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way,” Trump told Britain’s Daily Telegraph, escalating his rhetoric from merely “reconsidering” U.S. membership in the 75-year-old military alliance.
The remarks underscore the shifting and at times contradictory posture of a White House that has, for months, prosecuted a relentless military campaign against Iran while now suggesting it could end the conflict without Tehran’s compliance.
‘We’ll Be Leaving Very Soon’
“We’ll be leaving very soon,” Trump told reporters, adding that the withdrawal could happen “within two weeks, maybe two weeks, maybe three.”
When asked whether a successful diplomatic deal was a prerequisite for ending what the Pentagon calls “Operation Epic Fury,” Trump was blunt: “Iran doesn’t have to make a deal, no.”
The comments came as Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a more measured tone, telling Fox News Channel’s “Hannity” there was potential for “a direct meeting at some point” and that the United States could “see the finish line.”
“It’s not today, it’s not tomorrow, but it is coming,” Rubio said.
Oil Crisis Deepens
Global oil markets are bracing for a second month of severe disruption. The International Energy Agency warned Wednesday that oil supplies in April would be hit twice as hard as in March, with shortages of jet fuel and diesel already affecting Asia and expected to reach Europe by April or May.
Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz — through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil passes — has triggered a cascade of economic pain. Businesses worldwide are feeling the strain, with cosmetics and tea among the latest sectors to report supply disruptions.
The White House announced that Trump would address the nation Wednesday evening to “provide an important update on Iran.”
NATO Under Threat
Trump’s NATO comments represent a significant escalation. He has long criticized European allies for failing to meet defense spending targets, but his description of the alliance as a “paper tiger” and his suggestion that Russian President Vladimir Putin shares that assessment will alarm European capitals already straining to respond to the Iran crisis.
The threat comes as European leaders scramble to address the fallout from a war that has killed thousands, spread across the region, and disrupted global energy markets. Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. might leave both the conflict and the alliance that has underpinned European security for decades presents a nightmare scenario for America’s traditional partners.
What Comes Next
Trump is scheduled to address the nation at 9 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. The White House has not said whether he will announce a formal withdrawal timeline or further details on the administration’s endgame in Iran.
The United States had previously threatened to intensify military operations if Tehran did not accept a 15-point ceasefire framework demanding Iran abandon nuclear weapons ambitions, cease uranium enrichment, and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
