Trump targets Greenland again as Iran war deepens NATO rift
WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES – APRIL 6: United States President Donald Trump holds a Press Conference at the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 6, 2026 in Washington DC, United States.
Celal Güneş | Anatolia | Getty Images
As the diplomatic fallout from the Iran war exposes cracks in Washington’s ties with the security alliance, US President Donald Trump appears to have his sights set on Greenland again as he expresses his frustration with NATO.
One Real Social post On Wednesday evening in the USA, Trump said, “NATO WAS NOT THERE WHEN WE NEEDED IT, AND THEY WILL NOT BE THERE WHEN WE NEED IT AGAIN. DON’T FORGET THAT BIG, POORLY MANAGED PIECE OF ICE, Greenland!!!”
The latest development comes after Trump announced a 2-week ceasefire with Iran after more than a month of war. Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO members for not joining the war effort in Iran, threatening to withdraw from the alliance while calling the call for action a “great test.”
Trump has targeted NATO and Greenland in recent days. “It all started with Greenland, if you want to know the truth,” Trump told reporters at a White House press conference on Monday. he said. “We want Greenland. They don’t want to give it to us. So I said ‘bye, bye’.”
US relations with its European allies frayed after Trump threatened tariffs on European countries and signaled military action Acquiring Greenland, an autonomous region of Denmark. In January, Trump said he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had reached “the framework for a future agreement on Greenland.”
The Iran war led to new tensions in diplomatic relations. NATO members resisted support US-Israeli military campaign against Iran denies American military aircraft using airspace and I refuse to contribute naval forces are making efforts It is aimed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to energy transportation.
Trump’s comments on Wednesday followed his meeting with Rutte and spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt at the White House earlier in the day. It is said that He said NATO had “turned its back on the American people.”
Rutte acknowledged friction, In an interview with CNN “He’s clearly disappointed in many NATO allies, and I can see what he means,” he said after the meeting.
Trump called on NATO last week “paper tiger” and he said it was “Definitely” considering withdrawing Of the 32-member alliance, he argued that European members relied on US security guarantees while Washington offered inadequate support when they needed them most.
“Trump can’t attack the alliance forever without gutting it,” said Michael Feller, chief strategist at Geopolitical Strategy, at a time when Iran is “testing its unity” by offering Spain and Türkiye waivers to get their oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
Feller said that in addition to Trump’s words, the Pentagon also identified the timing of leaks about new military activities in Greenland. New York Times report Earlier this month, the Pentagon sought military expansion in Greenland. According to the report, the US was in talks with Denmark for access to three additional bases in Greenland, which would be the first US expansion in Greenland in decades.
“This is not a harbinger of an invasion, it’s probably designed to intimidate,” Feller said.
Meanwhile, less than 24 hours before the ceasefire with Iran began, the country’s parliament speaker, Mohammed Bagher Galibaf, said Washington had violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Israel reportedly launched its heaviest attack ever on Lebanon, killing hundreds of people and receiving threats from Iran. “illogical” Continuing peace talks with the United States, underlining the fragility of the ceasefire agreement.
