President Donald Trump is exploring potential measures to sanction NATO allies who have not supported his conflict with Iran. Reports suggest that he is compiling a list categorizing NATO countries based on their involvement in the US-Israel conflict with Tehran.
The US and Israel initiated ‘Operation Epic Fury’ on February 28, leading to widespread conflict in the Middle East with airstrikes targeting Iran. Despite this, NATO allies such as the UK and France have refrained from direct involvement in the war, advocating for peace due to global oil and gas shortages caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to sources, US officials have created a blueprint outlining NATO members’ contributions to the alliance, organizing countries into different tiers. The list is rumored to classify countries as either “naughty or nice,” although specific details are currently undisclosed.
Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of potential consequences for non-compliant allies, with suggestions that any punitive actions, such as troop movements, may primarily impact the US. President Trump has previously threatened to withdraw from the alliance entirely if allies do not adhere to his directives.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly emphasized the US’s commitment to its allies but criticized the lack of reciprocal support during Operation Epic Fury. Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with this imbalance and indicated that the US will remember which countries have not fulfilled their obligations.
While it remains unclear which countries will be considered on the ‘nice’ list, Romania and Poland are speculated to receive favorable recognition for their support. Poland covers most expenses related to hosting American troops, while Romania recently expanded an air base to assist the US military in the conflict with Iran.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hinted at distinguishing between good and bad NATO allies, praising those who contribute significantly to collective defense, such as Israel, South Korea, Poland, Germany, and the Baltics, while warning of consequences for those who fail to meet their defense responsibilities.