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U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday elevated Israel above unnamed allies in an unambiguous display of preferential alliance politics.
In a statement on his Truth Social platform, he contrasted what he called Israel's battlefield courage against others who had failed Washington in "a moment of conflict and stress."
"Whether people like Israel or not, they have proven to be a great ally of the United States of America. They are Courageous, Bold, Loyal, and Smart and, unlike others that have shown their true colors in a moment of conflict and stress, Israel fights hard, and knows how to WIN!," Trump wrote.
While Trump declined to name the countries he was criticizing, the post arrived amid a sustained campaign of public pressure against traditional U.S. partners.
Earlier this month, Trump called on European allies to "build up some delayed courage" and assist Washington in reopening the Strait of Hormuz after Iran reimposed what it called "strict control" over the waterway.
In a separate post issued the same day, Trump took direct aim at Spain, whose prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, has been among the most vocal critics of the Iran war.
Trump claimed Spain's "financial numbers are absolutely horrendous," a swipe that came despite Spain's economy having grown faster than the United States' last year.
"Has anybody looked at how badly the country of Spain is doing? Their financial numbers, despite contributing almost nothing to NATO and their military defense, are absolutely horrendous. Sad to watch!!!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social.
Britain has also drawn Trump's fire.
The president has repeatedly criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer, dismissing him as "not Winston Churchill," and has questioned the British military's contributions to the alliance.
The remarks come as the broader conflict continues to strain U.S. relationships across Europe and the Middle East.
Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated on Saturday that negotiations with Washington had yielded progress but that "many gaps and some fundamental points remain," adding: "We are still far from the final discussion."
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy simultaneously warned all vessels to remain anchored, declaring that any ship approaching the Strait of Hormuz "will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the offending vessel will be targeted."
On Feb. 28, the U.S. and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran, and Tehran retaliated with strikes on Israel and other regional countries hosting U.S. assets.
The war has been on hold since April 8, when Pakistan mediated a two-week ceasefire.
Washington and Tehran held talks in Pakistan last weekend, and efforts for another session in Islamabad are underway.
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