NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, on May 25, 2025. (Ken LaRock/U.S. Air Force)
European allies are adjusting course after U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of their lack of involvement in the Iran conflict, NATO’s top official said Monday.
Secretary-General Mark Rutte said leaders have heard Trump’s complaints “loud and clear” and suggested that allies are preparing for a possible role in assisting the U.S. on matters related to securing the Strait of Hormuz.
“I see more and more European countries pre-position essential logistical and other support, for example minehunters ... for the next phase,” Rutte said at the start of a meeting of the European Political Community in Armenia. He did not give further details.
Numerous allies have been in discussions for weeks over a multinational mission focused on securing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz once the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran is formally ended.
Trump has frequently panned the idea of other countries getting involved after the fact. Still, even if Iran and the U.S. agree on terms to end the conflict, there will likely be a need for an extended mission to clear the strait of mines, a task European navies could perform.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth walks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on April 24, 2025. (Alexander Kubitza/U.S. Navy)
Rutte’s comments come amid high tension between the U.S. and allies in Europe and on the heels of Trump’s announcement that he is planning to pull 5,000 troops out of Germany.
The Pentagon announcement Friday came after repeated rebukes by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the U.S. handling of the conflict, prompting intense pushback from Trump.
On Sunday, Merz sought to do damage control, saying on German television that he’s not “giving up cooperation” with Trump.
“The Americans are our most important partners in the NATO alliance,” he added.
While the U.S. has been critical of European countries in the bloc, the Pentagon has relied on its bases in Germany and elsewhere to support operations against Iran.
Ramstein Air Base as well as installations in England, Italy and Romania have played supporting roles for the mission.
So far, Spain is the only NATO member to publicly deny the U.S. military access to bases in the country or domestic airspace for Iran-related operations.
