WASHINGTON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States has been informed by most of its NATO allies that they "don't want to get involved" in the military operation against Iran, adding that the United States does not need help from NATO allies or other countries.

"We no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance -- WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"We have had such Military Success ... In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!" Trump said.

Trump again criticized NATO for not helping the United States.

"I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street -- We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need," Trump said.

"We, as the United States, have to remember that," he told reporters at the White House. "I just think that it's not good for a partnership."

"I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake," Trump said. "And I've long said that, you know, I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us. So this was a great test, because we don't need them, but they should have been there."

The NATO membership is "certainly something that we should think about," he said.

One day earlier, while rebuking allies for their reluctance to join a White House-proposed Strait of Hormuz escort mission, Trump said he would soon announce "a couple" of countries that have offered their help.

"Numerous countries have told me they're on the way," Trump said Monday, though he did not name any.

Washington has intensified pressure on NATO members and European partners to join the mission, several European countries have rejected the proposal or expressed caution, citing concerns over potential military escalation, a lack of prior consultation, and differing strategic priorities.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday ruled out Germany sending ships, adding that the war on Iran is "not a matter for NATO."

"There was never a joint decision on whether to intervene. That is why the question of how Germany might contribute militarily does not arise. We will not do so," Merz said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday that the country would not be "drawn into the wider war."

He said London is working with allies on a "viable plan" to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, but clarified that it "won't be, and it's never been envisioned to be a NATO mission."

According to Politico, citing European Union (EU) diplomats, foreign ministers meeting in Brussels this week were nearly unanimous in opposing the U.S. proposal, expressing reluctance to send ships and troops into a conflict they did not initiate.

"Europe has no interest in an open-ended war," Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, said in Brussels on Monday. "This is not Europe's war, but Europe's interests are directly at stake."

The United States and Israel began large-scale airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28, disrupting global shipping, sending oil prices soaring and shaking the global economy. ■