Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday criticized North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states for their perceived reluctance to respond to his call to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, calling them "cowards."

According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump made the remarks in a social media post, as NATO allies have appeared reluctant to accede to Trump's request for naval assistance to help reopen the crucial waterway, which has been effectively closed by the war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Trump expressed his frustration by stating that without the U.S., NATO is merely a "paper tiger" and accused the allies of not wanting to join the fight against a nuclear-powered Iran.

Trump further elaborated on his views by claiming that the fight is now militarily won with minimal danger to the allies. He expressed his discontent over their complaints about high oil prices, which he attributed to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that opening the strait is a straightforward military task with little risk involved for NATO countries.

On Saturday, Trump extended a call to nations like South Korea, Japan, France, and Britain, urging them to send naval assistance to secure the waterway. However, days later, he retracted the request, indicating the U.S. no longer required their help, reflecting discomfort over the allies' perceived hesitance.