NATO chief praises Trump’s Iran strikes, says key allies ‘all for one, one for all’

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte voiced full support for President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran, declaring key allies stand “all for one, one for all” amid Tehran’s widening missile retaliation. Rutte’s endorsement came as Iran fired missiles at military and civilian targets in Israel and Gulf states following the U.S.-led operation.

“There is no sliver of light between us,” Rutte told “Fox & Friends” on Monday. “The Europeans, Canada, Mark Carney, the United States, the American president… All for one, one for all, because everybody supports, here in Europe, the fact that [Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei is gone, that the nuclear capability is gone, that the ballistic missile program has been now degraded — which was a big threat for Europe, for Israel, for the whole region.”

Rutte commended Trump for crippling the Iranian regime’s military capabilities and eliminating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He said European leaders expressed broad backing during conversations over the weekend. The NATO chief emphasized that the Iranian ballistic missile program had posed a significant threat to Europe, Israel, and the broader region.

“This is crucial,” Rutte said. “And what I see in Europe — I spoke with all the key European leaders over the weekend — is widespread support for what the president is doing, and also making sure that when it comes to logistics, access, defending key U.S. interests in Europe and in the region, the Europeans are really stepping up.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is traveling to Washington for meetings with President Trump. Rutte highlighted Merz’s supportive stance, noting the chancellor “has made the best type of comments over the last couple of days.” The NATO chief indicated he views European responses as firmly behind the American operation.

The strikes have triggered escalating regional tensions. An RAF base in Cyprus was hit by an Iranian drone, with the British Ministry of Defence confirming the blast and saying it is monitoring the “live situation.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized the United States to launch “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites from UK bases, while insisting Britain will not join “offensive” action.

Iran has claimed it struck British oil tankers with missiles in the Strait of Hormuz. Footage emerged of a ship engulfed in flames. Missiles were also fired at Cyprus, and strikes narrowly missed British troops in Bahrain as Iran “lashed out” following the U.S. operation.

“It’s my duty to protect British lives” from Tehran’s “scorched earth” strikes, Starmer said. The British government has drawn up rescue plans for Britons trapped in Gulf states, with ministers preparing for a mass evacuation via Saudi Arabia.

Iranian National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani stated that Iran will not negotiate with the United States. His statement contradicted claims that he had submitted an initiative to resume talks through intermediaries. President Trump had said Iran’s new leadership expressed interest in speaking with him.

The potential decapitation of Iran’s ruling regime could have repercussions for Ukraine, where Russian troops have been fighting for four years. With the depletion of Iran’s drone arsenal, Russia’s aerial dominance could be challenged. The collaboration between Russia and Iran in drone technology has posed challenges for NATO defense strategies.

Rutte said he personally spoke with several top European leaders in the immediate aftermath of the strikes. “When you look, for example, at Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor, he is now traveling to Washington for meetings tomorrow with President Trump. He has made the best type of comments over the last couple of days. I really think he is completely supportive of what is happening,” Rutte said.

Chancellor Merz is scheduled to meet with President Trump in Washington on Tuesday.