Washington, April 9, (dpa/GNA) – NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, on Thursday criticized what he described as a hesitant response by some alliance members to the war in Iran, saying support for the United States had been slow.
“When it came time to provide the logistical and other support the United States needed in Iran, some allies were a bit slow, to say the least,” Rutte said in Washington, without naming specific countries.
He added that many had been caught off guard by the conflict.
Rutte said he could sense the frustration of US President Donald Trump, during talks at the White House on Wednesday.
“I sensed his disappointment about the fact that he felt that too many allies were not with him,” Rutte said, adding that he told the president that the overwhelming majority of European countries were doing exactly what the US wanted them to do.
Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO members for not playing a more active role in the Iran conflict, with disputes centering on the use of military bases and a potential mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz. He has singled out countries including Spain, France and the United Kingdom.
Trump expects NATO allies to make “concrete” commitments to help secure the Strait of Hormuz following his talks with Rutte, NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart said earlier on Thursday.
Rutte has been briefing partners on his discussions in Washington, Hart said.
“It’s clear that the United States expects concrete commitments and action to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” she said.
Bloomberg, citing a senior NATO official, reported that Washington expects European allies to present firm plans within days.
Trump has repeatedly demanded that NATO members support US efforts to secure the vital shipping lane, but has so far been met with resistance.
Less than 24 hours after a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war was announced, Rutte met Trump in Washington on Wednesday. Trump later voiced frustration on his platform Truth Social.
“NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN,” he wrote.
Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz in early March in response to attacks by the United States and Israel, effectively halting shipments of oil and liquefied natural gas from the Gulf and sending global prices sharply higher.
GNA