U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO and major European allies on Thursday as "paper tigers" and accused members of cowardice for not supporting efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz while the United States and Israel continue military strikes against Iran.

"Without the United States, NATO is nothing more than a paper tiger!" Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. "They did not want to join the fight to stop nuclear Iran."

"Now that the fight has been won militarily, and with little risk to them, they are complaining about high oil prices which they have to pay, but they do not want to help open up the Strait of Hormuz which is the only cause of the oil price increase. This is only a military operation," he said.

Trump has claimed the conflict is effectively over and that the Iranian military has been severely weakened, though he has not officially declared victory.

"It is so easy for them to do, because there is little risk to them," Trump wrote. "Cowards, we will remember!"

Trump's criticism came after Japan, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands issued a joint statement on Thursday expressing their readiness to cooperate in keeping the vital maritime shipping lane open.

"We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the leaders of these countries said in their statement. "We welcome the commitment of countries that are participating in the preparatory planning."

The statement did not specify what role these countries would play in efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz. The joint statement also expressed "deep concern" over the impact of Iranian attacks on global energy markets.

Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands are NATO member states.

Trump has repeatedly pressed NATO and European allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, urging several countries to join military operations, but they have so far refused direct intervention.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Thursday that he believes the alliance and its member states will eventually find a solution to restore passage through the strategic waterway.

"I am confident that the allies, as they have always done, will do their best for our common interests," he said.

While commercial shipping has been paralyzed through the vital waterway due to Iran's de facto blockade, a significant number of vessels are reportedly transiting the strait in recent times, according to industry sources.

Before the launch of Operation Epic Fury, one-fifth of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) passed through it.

The war, which began on Feb. 28 with joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, has caused a surge in global oil prices, prompting Tehran to retaliate with attacks across the Persian Gulf region.

U.S. NNP=Chief Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Special Correspondent for this newspaper NNP info@newsandpost.com