A sharp exchange unfolded on Fox News Sunday when anchor Shannon Bream directly questioned NATO secretary general Mark Rutte over recent comments by US president Donald Trump, who had slammed US allies for their response to the Iran conflict.
Speaking with Fox News on Sunday, Rutte acknowledged the tension upfront, saying “I know the president was angry because he feels that European and other allies have been too slow.”
But he quickly pointed to what he described as recent movement among allies, “The good news here is that, since Thursday, a group of 22 countries, most of them from NATO but also Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the UAE, and Bahrain were coming together to make sure the Strait of Hormuz is free, is opening up as soon as possible.”
Rutte did not list every country in the group, but he gave a clear picture of who is taking part.
Responding in detail, Rutte said “The United States has been planning for this for weeks. For obvious reasons, because of security, it was impossible to share that knowledge with allies, because that would have prevented the effect of the first attack, because there was a risk always of leaking.
“So, I totally understand why the US was not able to share this with allies.”
He then emphasized that allies were not inactive during that period, but instead preparing for coordinated action once conditions allowed.
He asserted saying “At the same time it means that European allies and partners all over the world have used the last couple of weeks to make sure that we come together, to start planning to see what we can do collectively as allies, as partners of the United States, at the moment that’s possible for the Strait of Hormuz to open up, and, therefore, answering the president’s call on this.”
The move marks a sharp shift after US president Donald Trump referred to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as “a paper tiger” and “cowards” over Europe’s stance to not support securing the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. and Israel continue striking Iran.
He noted that he had spoken with Trump “several times” over the past week and described the US objective as essential.
He also described the U.S. operation as “crucial,” citing what he called the “existential threat” posed by Iran.
Rutte answered in a measured tone but made clear that the alliance is now moving. “We are now planning the military people, amongst this group of 22 nations with the USA.”
At the end of the interview, the NATO secretary general tried to project confidence. “We will get this done together,” he said.
