NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised President Donald Trump for taking “decisive action” against Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling the strikes a significant step toward global security. The NATO leader emphasized the importance of Trump’s role in achieving a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, highlighting the impact of this action on global stability.
During the 2025 NATO Summit, Trump shared several texts from Rutte, which praised the U.S. military’s operations against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Rutte described the strikes as ‘truly extraordinary’ and noted that they made the world safer. He also acknowledged Trump’s efforts in securing a ceasefire, which he called a major achievement for international relations.
Rutte further commended Trump’s success in pushing for increased NATO defense spending, with all member states except Spain agreeing to contribute 5% of their GDP to national defense. He stated that this was something ‘NO American president in decades could get done,’ underscoring the significance of Trump’s diplomatic efforts.
Despite the support from some leaders, including the UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who acknowledged the threat posed by a nuclear Iran, there were mixed reactions within NATO. Starmer called for Iran to return to negotiations and emphasized the importance of de-escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed similar sentiments, urging for a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza. The varied reactions reflect the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding U.S.-Iran relations and the role of NATO in maintaining regional and global security.