President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he is actively considering withdrawing the United States from NATO, linking the potential departure to what he characterized as the alliance's unwillingness to support American military operations against Iran. Trump referred to NATO as a 'paper tiger,' signaling deep frustration with European allies over the Iran conflict.

The remarks represent an escalation of longstanding tension between the Trump administration and NATO member states, several of which have declined to endorse or participate in U.S.-led military action against Iran. Trump did not specify a timeline for any decision but indicated the matter was under serious reconsideration at the highest levels of his administration.

NATO was established in 1949 and the U.S. has been a founding member. Article 5 of the treaty, which provides for collective defense, has been invoked only once — following the September 11, 2001 attacks. A formal U.S. withdrawal would require congressional action under legislation passed in recent years specifically to constrain executive authority over NATO membership.

European governments have not yet issued formal responses to Trump's latest comments, though senior officials in several member states have previously warned that a U.S. withdrawal would fundamentally destabilize the Western security architecture, particularly amid ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The White House has not released additional details about what conditions, if any, could prevent a withdrawal.