NATO secretary general congratulates Trump on Iran air strikes
Share and Follow


() NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sent a private congratulatory message to President Donald Trump on Tuesday regarding U.S. air strikes on Iranian nuclear targets over the weekend, saying the move “makes us all safer.”

Trump posted the message to his Truth Social account, and NATO has confirmed to that the message was sent by Rutte. It was sent early Tuesday before Trump left the White House for the NATO summit at The Hague, the official said.

“Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran, that was truly extraordinary, and something no one else dared to do,” Rutte wrote. “It makes us all safer.”

Trump departed for The Hague after colorfully criticizing both Israel and Iran on Tuesday morning for what he said were violations of their ceasefire agreement.

Rutte added, “Donald, you have really driven us to a really, really important moment for America and Europe, and the world. You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done. Europe is going to pay in a BIG way as they should, and it will be your win.”

In his message, Rutte wrote that Trump was “flying into another big success in The Hague … It was not easy, but we’ve got them all signed onto 5 percent.”

NATO leaders are expected to endorse a goal of spending 5% of alliance members’ gross domestic product on security to fulfil plans for defending against outside attack.

Asked by about Rutte’s relationship with Trump and the upcoming NATO Summit, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly replied, “In just 48 hours, President Trump accomplished what his predecessors have only dreamed about – Iran’s nuclear capabilities are obliterated, a ceasefire has been brokered to conclude the ’12-Day-War,’ and the entire world is safer.

“Now, he heads to NATO with his reputation cemented as Peacemaker-in-Chief, which will motivate allies to take his five percent defense spending pledge and even further advance global stability.”

Spain said it has reached a deal with NATO to be excluded from the 5% target, while Trump said the figure shouldn’t apply to the United States, only its allies.

Other questions remain over what demands could be insisted on from other members of the alliance, like Belgium, Canada, France and Italy, that also would struggle to hike security spending by billions of dollars. Rutte conceded that for some, reaching 5% will “still be a long road ahead.”

“NATO has no opt-out, and NATO does no side deals,” Rutte told reporters in The Hague. “It is critical that each ally carries their fair share of the burden.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
UN chief praises Trump for Iran-Israel ceasefire days after condemning US strikes

UN chief praises Trump for Iran-Israel ceasefire days after condemning US strikes

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! United Nations Secretary-General António…
Deirdre Kemp charged with driving through large anti-ICE crowd at Chicago protest near Wabash and Monroe in the Loop: police

Deirdre Kemp faces charges for driving through a big crowd protesting against ICE in Chicago near Wabash and Monroe in the Loop: authorities

CHICAGO (WLS) — A woman is facing charges after allegedly driving through…
Denver police respond to hundreds of teens who gathered at Northfield Mall

Denver Police Called to Manage Large Gathering of Teenagers at Northfield Mall

DENVER (KDVR) A weekend gathering of hundreds of teens at Northfield Mall…
Karmelo Anthony and Austin Metcalf are pictured.

Karmelo Anthony Accused of Stabbing at Austin Metcalf Track Event

() Texas teen Karmelo Anthony, who is accused of stabbing Austin Metcalf at a…
Bobby Sherman dead at 81 as heartfelt tributes pour in for 60s teen heartthrob

Bobby Sherman, a popular teen idol from the 1960s, passed away at the age of 81

1960s teen idol Bobby Sherman, who was beloved for his hit single…
What is BAM, the drug at the center of Barry Morphew's indictment?

Exploring BAM: The Substance Highlighted in Barry Morphew’s Indictment

DENVER (KDVR) New details are emerging from the new murder indictment for…
Federal judge orders Trump administration to release EV charger funding in 14 states

A federal judge instructs the Trump administration to provide funding for electric vehicle chargers in 14 states.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A federal judge Tuesday ordered the Trump administration…
State AI rules ban survives in Senate rule fight

Senate Rules Fight Upholds Ban on State AI Regulations

The Senate parliamentarian concluded the controversial push to ban state regulation of…