NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump was "clearly disappointed" that America's allies had declined to join military action against Iran, following a closed-door meeting in Washington.
Speaking to CNN after the private meeting, Rutte acknowledged the tension between the United States and its NATO partners over the Iran situation, while stressing that alliance members had their own sovereign positions on military engagement. The meeting underscored growing divisions within the Western alliance over how to respond to Iran's nuclear programme and regional activities.
Rutte did not specify which countries were present at the meeting or the full scope of what was discussed behind closed doors. However, his public remarks signalled that Trump had made clear his frustration with allies who were unwilling to commit to a military posture alongside the United States.
The episode highlights the broader strain on transatlantic relations under the Trump administration, which has repeatedly pressed NATO members to take stronger stances on security threats, including those posed by Iran. European allies have generally favoured diplomatic solutions over military escalation in dealing with Tehran.
