NATO chief supports US strikes on Iran, urges higher defense spending
Mark Rutte reaffirms Washington’s commitment to NATO while calling on European and Canadian members to raise their defence budgets and urging Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte considered on Wednesday that the new US strikes on Iran were "absolutely necessary."
Speaking to reporters ahead of a NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara, Rutte said: "When there is a ceasefire and Iran seriously violates it, I believe it is absolutely necessary that the United States responds forcefully."
He added: "I expect the members today to reaffirm the need for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz."
In response to a question about the repeated criticism of NATO voiced by US President Donald Trump, Rutte said that the United States is "fully committed" to the alliance.
He continued: "There is a full commitment from the United States toward NATO, but there is also an expectation that Europeans and Canadians will increase their spending to match the level of US defence spending, which I consider entirely fair."