NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte backed US President Donald Trump’s approach to Iran, saying the NATO Trump Iran policy was necessary for alliance security.
Rutte made the remarks in an interview with Fox News after Trump renewed criticism of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and accused some allies of offering insufficient support.
“When it comes to NATO, I know there is disappointment,” Rutte said. He added that the issue involved “isolated cases” and said several allies had supported US military activity.
Rutte said “country after country” had made bases available for Operation Epic Fury. He said 500 US aircraft used Italian bases during the operation.
The NATO chief also said authorities in Bucharest, Romania, reduced commercial air traffic so US forces could deploy refuelling capabilities at the city’s airport.
Rutte said European allies continued to help the United States secure the Strait of Hormuz, a major maritime route near Iran.
Read: Trump Accuses NATO Allies of Failing US Over Iran
“You see now massive European allies pre-positioning their assets close to the Strait,” Rutte said. He said the move would help with tasks such as demining.
Rutte said he “totally” understood Trump’s frustration with NATO. He also thanked the US president for pushing allies to increase defence spending.
The NATO chief said he stood “completely behind” Trump’s Iran strategy. He said Trump had strengthened NATO and enhanced US security.
“I think the president is doing exactly what is needed, degrading Iran’s nuclear capability,” Rutte said in the interview.
The NATO Trump Iran comments came as tensions continued between the alliance and the White House over burden-sharing, military support and Iran policy.
