©picture alliance/dpa | Michael Kappeler
Speaking to the press from the NATO summit at the presidential complex in the Turkish capital of Ankara, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte shared his views on the heavy attacks the United States carried out against Iranian targets last night.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the new U.S. attacks on Iran were “absolutely necessary,” and that the incidents threaten to dominate the NATO summit in Ankara. Rutte made his remarks immediately before the plenary session of the meeting of the 32 heads of state and government in Ankara began, and emphasized that a strong response is crucial in the event of a ceasefire violation.
The remarks come amid rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, where Washington holds Iran responsible for multiple attacks on tankers. According to the U.S., Iran attacked three merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, thereby violating the ceasefire. The U.S. therefore reimposed sanctions on Iranian oil, a move that Iran claims violated the peace agreement. The U.S. military also carried out “offensive” retaliatory strikes overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, striking more than 80 Iranian targets.
Iran overshadows NATO summit
Iran remains a highly sensitive issue within the alliance. For example, upon his arrival in Ankara, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his disappointment at the lack of support from some NATO countries, and Rutte anticipates that Iran will undoubtedly be addressed in the summit’s final declaration. He expects Member States to emphasize that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be respected and that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. The NATO summit is also focusing on implementing higher defense budgets and increasing production output in the defense industry. Rutte warned that “you cannot protect yourself with euros alone” and called for greater industrial capabilities. Mutual support for Ukraine also remains a priority that is expected to garner broad support for Rutte.
Incidentally, the summit is having a major impact on daily life in Ankara. The presidential complex and its immediate surroundings are strictly cordoned off due to large-scale security measures, for which Rutte thanked the residents of the Turkish capital. While leaders such as Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky are in Ankara, the new escalation with Iran threatens to overshadow the agenda and thereby make it more difficult to reach consensus within the alliance.
©picture alliance/dpa | Michael Kappeler