Kathmandu. US President Donald Trump has said he was “disappointed” with the role of NATO allies in the escalating tensions with Iran and said he was using the crisis as an opportunity to test their commitment.

He said his long-standing doubts about the alliance’s credibility had been reinforced by the lack of expected support in the US campaign against Iran.

Speaking to reporters in Ankara after meeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of the NATO summit, Trump said the United States is always ready to help others, but he tried to see if allies would stand up for the United States when needed.

“I was very disappointed with NATO. We didn’t need their help, but I was testing whether or not they really stood up for America,” he said.

Trump also expressed frustration at the refusal of some allies to use their air bases and the refusal to cooperate militarily to protect the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He reiterated that after World War II, the partners under the US security umbrella must prove their commitment through practice.

Expressing his “personal respect” for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Trump acknowledged that the bilateral relationship had strained due to his lack of support for the Strait of Hormuz and the US strategy on Iran. “He’s a good man, but he made a mistake on this issue,” Trump said.

He said the US should not depend on the Strait of Hormuz as it has abundant energy resources, but the US is working for global stability. He said the reluctance of some countries was evident as Europe was more dependent on energy supplies.

Trump praised Turkish President Erdogan and said that his understanding of the regional situation related to Iran is important. He said Turkey had played a constructive role in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions without direct military involvement.

Trump described the US action against Iran as “not a full-scale war” but a “targeted military operation” and “operation to denuclearize”. He said that despite Turkey’s considerable military capabilities, Ankara has deliberately avoided direct war.