Defense

Rutte says NATO allies ‘were a bit slow, to say the least’ on Iran war

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by Filip Timotija - 04/09/26 2:24 PM ET

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by Filip Timotija - 04/09/26 2:24 PM ET

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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Thursday that the alliance’s members were “a bit slow, to say the least,” on assisting the U.S. when President Trump launched the war against Iran, but he noted they were not aware of the kinetic action against Tehran beforehand.

“When it came time to provide the logistical and other support the United States needed in Iran, some allies were a bit slow, to say the least,” Rutte said at a Reagan Institute event in Washington, D.C.

“Nearly without exception, allies are doing everything” the U.S. government has asked, Rutte said, adding that members have “heard and are responding to President Trump’s requests.”

Rutte’s remarks came a day after he met with Trump at the White House and as the president has repeatedly hammered NATO, arguing the alliance’s members did not sufficiently back the U.S. during the early days of Operation Epic Fury.

Following the behind-closed-doors meeting, Trump, who has a warm relationship with Rutte, once again lambasted the alliance.

“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!!!” Trump wrote Wednesday on Truth Social, referring to his efforts to take over Greenland.

Rutte referenced Trump’s disappointment in NATO but added that most European allies have provided what Washington asked.

“I sensed his disappointment about the fact that he felt that too many allies were not with him,” Rutte said Thursday. He added that he told the president that the “majority of Europeans have done what the U.S. asked.”

However, no European countries have committed to providing military assistance to the U.S. should it seek to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force. And Spain at the end of March closed its airspace to U.S. military aircraft involved in offensive operations in Iran.

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