"We have spent all that money on them. Then, when we ask for a little help, they refuse and say they don't want to help," President Donald Trump said at a White House press conference, referring to NATO.

"That's a foolish answer, because we can say the same to them if we choose, and we very well might," he added.

US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, White House, 22/6. *Photo: AFP*

Despite the strained relationship with the alliance, President Trump is still expected to attend the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, next month.

President Trump has previously criticized NATO for its lack of assistance when the US required it. He labeled NATO a "paper tiger" after the alliance declined to join efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz, and some member states denied the US access to their bases for the Middle East operation.

On the same day, the US president issued a further warning to Iran. "If Iran does not adhere to the agreement, or if they behave improperly, I will do what I have to do," Trump told reporters at the White House press conference.

On 21/6, in an interview with Fox News, Trump threatened that if no agreement was reached, the Iranian delegation negotiating with the US in Switzerland would have no country to return to.

The Iranian delegation promptly issued a protest statement. Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned the US against threatening Iran, stating, "our armed forces are ready to respond."

"Does the US not believe that if threats were effective, they wouldn't be in a stalemate today? We are not concerned by threats from the US," Ghalibaf stated. "The US should be more cautious in its rhetoric. Whatever they say, we are the ones who will act."

The Iranian delegation refused to return to the negotiating room, though messages continued to be exchanged via Pakistani and Qatari intermediaries.

Last week, Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum to establish a foundation for peace talks, following over three months of conflict. As part of this agreement, the US committed to immediately unfreezing and allowing Iran full access to its blocked funds and assets upon the memorandum's implementation.

President Trump asserted that Iran is obligated to use the unfrozen funds to exclusively purchase food from the US. "All that money will return through the purchase of food they desperately need. They have 91 million people and cannot sustain themselves. Therefore, that unfrozen money will flow into the pockets of our farmers," he affirmed.

However, Abdolnaser Hemmati, Governor of the Central Bank of Iran, stated that Tehran is not obligated to purchase agricultural goods from Washington. He clarified that the released funds are not exclusively for essential items but can be used to acquire other goods not subject to sanctions.

By Vu Hoang, *Reuters, AFP*