NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has informed European governments that US President Donald Trump expects concrete pledges within days to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, diplomats revealed on Thursday. This comes as the alliance navigates tensions triggered by Trump’s threats to withdraw from the 32-member transatlantic alliance.
Known in Europe as a “Trump whisperer,” Rutte is actively working to ease the crisis after Trump criticized European allies for relying heavily on US security guarantees while providing insufficient support for the US-Israeli campaign against Iran. Following his meeting with Trump at the White House on Wednesday, Rutte conveyed the president’s demands to European countries, placing pressure on them to swiftly develop tangible plans to safeguard the vital oil transit route that Iran has effectively blocked amid ongoing conflict.
Speaking in Washington a day after his meeting with Trump, Rutte acknowledged that some NATO members were initially slow and somewhat surprised in their response to US requests regarding Iran. However, he emphasized that there is now substantial support, including basing and logistical assistance. “Almost all allies are fulfilling the United States’ requests. They have heard and are responding to President Trump’s appeals,” Rutte stated during a speech at the Ronald Reagan Institute.
Several European allies have expressed willingness to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz, but only if a durable ceasefire is established and an agreement is reached with Iran ensuring their vessels will not be targeted. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed on Thursday that the secretary general remains in contact with allies about his Washington discussions, highlighting that the US expects concrete commitments and actions to guarantee freedom of navigation in the strait.
The tensions surrounding the Iran conflict add to a series of challenges facing NATO, including Trump’s intensified threats in January to claim Greenland from Denmark. On Thursday, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen urged NATO allies to unite in defending international law, responding firmly to Trump’s recent remarks about the Arctic territory.
In his address, Rutte acknowledged that the alliance is undergoing significant transformation but is becoming stronger. “Allies recognize, as do I, that we are in a period of profound change within the transatlantic alliance. Europe is taking on a larger and fairer share of responsibility for its conventional defense,” he said.
Although Trump announced on Tuesday a two-week ceasefire pause on attacks against Iran, the conflict’s repercussions continue to strain NATO relations. One diplomat noted Washington’s frustration but pointed out that allies were not consulted before or after the US initiated the conflict. While NATO as an organization is not involved in the Iran war, allies are eager to contribute to longer-term solutions for the Strait of Hormuz, especially as negotiations with Iran proceed.
After meeting Rutte, Trump posted on Truth Social in capital letters that “NATO wasn’t there when we needed them, and they won’t be there if we need them again.” A senior European official expressed concern, stating, “The NATO community is more worried right now than confident,” and that the meeting did little to alleviate those worries.
Early planning efforts are underway, with Britain leading a coalition of about 40 countries aiming to develop a military and diplomatic strategy to reopen and secure the Strait of Hormuz. However, there is little indication of an imminent breakthrough. French President Emmanuel Macron noted that approximately 15 countries are preparing to facilitate the resumption of traffic through the strait.
When asked about the British initiative and NATO’s potential role, Rutte responded, “If NATO can help, obviously NATO is there,” but he also stressed that alliance decisions require unanimous agreement among all members. France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated on Thursday that the strait cannot fully reopen until a lasting agreement is reached between the US and Iran. Meanwhile, Italy and Britain rejected Iran’s claim that it could impose a toll on vessels crossing the strait.
One European diplomat remarked, “We are willing to make the right noises and even take appropriate actions eventually, but the core issue is not to simply satisfy the US; it is to establish the proper conditions.”
