President Donald Trump has escalated his criticism of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), saying he’s “strongly considering” pulling the United States out of the alliance after key European allies declined to back U.S. military action related to the war with Iran. Trump labeled NATO a “paper tiger” — a term he’s used to describe institutions he views as weak — and told The Telegraph that the idea of staying in NATO is now “beyond reconsideration.”

The comments underline a growing rift between Washington and longtime partners. Defense officials have even declined to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to NATO’s collective defense clause, putting the future of the alliance’s central guarantee in question.

Trump’s remarks came alongside sharp public criticism of European governments — including France, Spain, Italy, and the UK — for not contributing militarily to the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran. Those tensions, combined with ongoing disputes over energy security and allied support, are raising serious questions about the stability and cohesion of NATO at a moment of multiple global crises.