Repercussions of Iranian war expand, shake NATO cohesion

Media outlets this morning highlighted the repercussions of the ongoing war with Iran and its impact on U.S. relations with its allies, especially within NATO, alongside legal and political debates about the alliance’s future.

Can Trump withdraw the U.S. from NATO?

Reuters reported that the U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from NATO amid disagreements with European countries over their reluctance to send naval forces to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the report, this proposal raises constitutional controversy within the United States, as the Constitution does not clearly define the mechanism for withdrawing from treaties. Meanwhile, a law passed by Congress in 2023 requires a two-thirds Senate approval for such a move. Experts believe the issue could turn into a complex legal dispute if Trump proceeds.

The agency also cited officials and experts saying that a decline in U.S. political and military commitment to the alliance could have a greater impact than any legal steps, especially amid rising tensions linked to the war with Iran.

Lebanon… A republic governed by “automatic Iranian updating”

In a related context, Al-Arab newspaper examined the situation in Lebanon, criticizing what it described as the erosion of sovereignty, arguing that official decisions are increasingly disregarded due to Iran’s influence in the country.

The paper noted that the presence of Hezbollah as a parallel force reflects a complex political reality, where sovereign decision-making is no longer confined to state institutions but is subject to internal and external balances.

Amid the strangling of maritime routes… The law has the final say

For its part, Al-Khaleej newspaper focused on the legal dimension of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, stressing that any attempt to close it constitutes a clear violation of international law.

It explained that the United Nations, through the Law of the Sea Convention, guarantees freedom of navigation in international straits, allowing affected countries to pursue legal avenues, including filing cases before the International Court of Justice or the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, to halt violations and seek compensation for damages.

A-H 

ANHA