NATO Chief Says Allies ‘a Bit Slow’ to Help With Iran
AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Thursday avoided confirming whether President Trump had once again floated the idea of the United States leaving NATO. Instead, Rutte focused on describing frustration coming from President Trump over what he sees as slow or insufficient assistance from allied countries in relation to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
His comments followed another tense exchange earlier in the week between the two leaders, part of a broader stretch of strained interactions that has also included past disputes over issues such as Greenland. While NATO itself is not directly involved in the US-Israel conflict with Iran, President Trump has publicly criticized alliance members for not offering enough backing, despite the war being outside NATO’s formal responsibilities.
Since the fighting began, President Trump has used unusually sharp language toward allies, calling some “cowards” and describing NATO as ineffective. He has also drawn comparisons between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and historical figures associated with appeasement policies. In addition, he has suggested the United States could reconsider its membership in the alliance, a position he previously raised during his first term in 2018.
A key point of tension has been expectations around support connected to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which has been impacted during the conflict. President Trump has argued that allies have not responded quickly enough to assist in securing the route, which is critical for global energy and trade flows.
Following discussions with President Trump, Rutte publicly praised his “bold leadership,” while also noting that some NATO members have been slower than expected to respond to US requests. Behind closed doors, diplomatic sources say Rutte has conveyed that President Trump is seeking clear commitments from allies within a short timeframe regarding maritime security efforts tied to the region.
European officials have discussed coordinating efforts outside NATO structures, with the United Kingdom exploring a separate initiative to help stabilize shipping routes once conditions allow. At the same time, diplomats acknowledge the challenge of balancing US pressure with broader international and legal considerations.
Within Europe, reactions have been mixed. Spain, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has taken a more restrictive stance by limiting US military use of certain facilities and airspace linked to the operation. France has also criticized the campaign, arguing that it was launched without proper consultation and may conflict with international law standards.
Overall, the situation highlights growing friction between Washington and some NATO allies, even as the alliance itself remains formally uninvolved in the Iran conflict but still affected indirectly through regional security concerns.
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