Trump Criticizes NATO Allies as More U.S. Marines Deploy to the Middle East

U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized the NATO alliance on Friday, calling its member nations “cowards” over their stance on Iran, while new reports indicated that additional U.S. Marines are being sent to the Middle East, raising speculation about a potential ground operation nearly three weeks after the conflict began.

According to officials, one possible strategic objective for the deployment could be Iran’s Kharg Island, a crucial oil export terminal. The White House stated that the United States has the capability to strike the facility at any moment should the president authorize such action.

Reports from Axios suggested that the administration is reviewing options that include a blockade or direct occupation of the island as a way to pressure Tehran into reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for energy supplies.

Trump intensified his criticism of the NATO military alliance, accusing member countries of failing to support his request for assistance in protecting the narrow maritime passage, which he says is partly responsible for the recent rise in global oil prices.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that NATO countries could easily assist without facing significant danger, but chose not to do so. He accused the alliance of refusing to participate in what he described as an effort to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear-armed power, adding that without the United States, NATO would lack real strength.

Several major nations — including Britain, France, Germany, and Japan, whose prime minister met Trump at the White House on Thursday — have said they are willing to support appropriate international efforts, but none have formally committed to military involvement.

Despite the tensions, Trump insisted that the joint U.S.–Israeli military campaign is progressing successfully. Speaking during an event at the White House where he presented a trophy to naval cadets, he said the operation was going extremely well and claimed the situation was not even competitive.

He also stated that communication with Iran has become difficult following the deaths of several top officials, including the country’s former supreme leader, leaving few leaders available for negotiations.

Rising oil prices have increased political pressure on the administration to bring the conflict to a close, as some Republicans fear that economic instability could negatively affect the party in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.

The Wall Street Journal reported that between 2,200 and 2,500 Marines from the California-based USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are being positioned in the region. When asked about the report, the Marine Corps confirmed that both units are currently deployed at sea, while the U.S. Third Fleet described the activities as routine operations.

Earlier reports also indicated that another group of approximately 2,500 Marines had already been sent to the Middle East aboard several naval vessels.

Military analysts say Kharg Island could be a major target because it handles most of Iran’s crude oil exports. White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly stated that the U.S. military has the ability to destroy the facility at any time if ordered by the president.

She explained that the administration had prepared for multiple scenarios involving Iran and anticipated possible attempts to disrupt the free flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz. According to her statement, U.S. forces have already taken action against more than 40 vessels believed to be involved in mine-laying operations.

U.S. forces reportedly carried out strikes on Kharg Island on Friday, and Trump later said the attacks completely destroyed all military targets located there.

Although the president previously said the United States had avoided damaging the island’s oil infrastructure, he warned that such action could be taken if Iran continues to interfere with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.