Alliance chief acknowledges delays in support while citing lack of advance notice and ongoing coordination with Washington.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Thursday that alliance members were initially slow to support U.S. operations against Iran but emphasized that cooperation has since expanded following early delays tied in part to limited advance coordination.
Speaking at the Reagan Institute’s Center for Peace Through Strength in Washington, Rutte said some allies were “a bit slow” to provide logistical and operational backing, according to a transcript of his remarks.
“When it came time to provide the logistical and other support the United States needed in Iran, some allies were a bit slow,” Rutte said. “In fairness, they were also a bit surprised.”
He added that the lack of prior notification contributed to the delay. “To maintain the element of surprise for the initial strikes, President Trump opted not to inform allies ahead of time. And I understand that.”
The comments follow Rutte’s closed-door meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, where tensions over NATO’s role in the conflict were discussed.
Trump has repeatedly criticized alliance members for declining to join the U.S.-led military campaign or provide broader assistance, particularly in efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to restrict access to the key shipping corridor. In a March 26 post on Truth Social, Trump described NATO as a “paper tiger” that “didn’t want to join the fight to stop a nuclear-powered Iran.”
Some European countries, including Spain and France, limited or denied access to airspace and bases for U.S. operations, contributing to friction within the alliance.
Despite the early hesitation, Rutte said support from NATO members has increased significantly. “What I see, when I look across Europe today, is allies providing a massive amount of support,” he said, citing basing access, logistics, and other assistance aimed at enabling U.S. military operations.
“Nearly without exception, allies are doing everything the United States is asking,” he added. “They have heard and are responding to President Trump’s requests.”
Rutte pointed to the United Kingdom’s leadership of a coalition focused on securing maritime routes as evidence of a shift in alignment. “The United Kingdom is leading a coalition of countries that are aligning the military, the political, and the economic tools that will be required to ensure free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. This is evidence of a mindset shift.”
Following the White House meeting, Trump reiterated his dissatisfaction in a separate Truth Social post, stating, “NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN. REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE!!!”
Rutte addressed the disagreement directly, describing the discussions with Trump as candid. In remarks reported by C-SPAN, he said, “The president, myself, we like each other,” adding that he preferred open dialogue over avoiding contentious issues.
“I sensed his disappointment about the fact he felt that too many allies were not with him,” Rutte said, noting that European governments often require time to coordinate responses. “Sometimes it takes a couple of days. But we pulled together. And almost all of Europe did.”
Rutte concluded that NATO remains central to U.S. global operations, stating the alliance not only protects European members but also supports American strategic objectives through coordinated partnerships.
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