France hit back on Wednesday at threats by President Donald Trump to pull the US out of NATO, saying the military alliance was designed to ensure security in the Euro-Atlantic area and not to launch offensive operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump told Reuters he would state in an address to the nation later on Wednesday that he was “absolutely” considering withdrawing the United States from NATO, echoing comments he made in an interview with Britain’s Daily Telegraph after allies failed to back US military action against Iran.
