Trump meets NATO chief as Iran war strains alliance

President Donald Trump welcomed NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to the White House on Wednesday, as the ongoing war with Iran has pushed U.S. relations with European allies to a breaking point.

Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO members for what he calls inadequate support for the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran. He has even threatened to withdraw from the 32-member alliance, describing NATO as a “paper tiger.” On Tuesday, Trump said the attacks on Iran would be paused after both sides agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

The president has urged countries dependent on Gulf oil to help break Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. However, European diplomats say their governments are unlikely to join mine-clearing or naval missions while hostilities continue. Iran has vowed to obstruct the vital waterway until the war ends.

Rutte, who has cultivated a close relationship with Trump, is seen in Europe as a leader capable of easing tensions. Diplomats say he will emphasize the importance of restoring maritime trade and highlight European efforts to boost defense spending. A NATO official confirmed that Rutte will also discuss defense-industry cooperation and the wars in Iran and Ukraine.

“This is a dangerous point for the transatlantic alliance,” said Oana Lungescu, a former NATO spokesperson now at the Royal United Services Institute in London. Analysts warn that the conflict with Iran has deepened divisions already present over Ukraine, Greenland, and military spending.

Trump’s focus on the Middle East has raised concerns among European allies that U.S. weapons could be diverted from Ukraine, whose defense remains a top priority for NATO members. His criticism of Ukraine, engagement with Russia, and threats to take over Greenland from Denmark have further unsettled allies.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump has been disappointed by NATO’s reluctance to support “Operation Epic Fury,” the campaign against Iran. “Even though his effort to destroy the threat posed by Iran is to their benefit, they have been unwilling to be helpful,” she said. “As he said, the United States will remember.”

Rutte is expected to avoid committing NATO to any direct operation in the Strait of Hormuz but will continue dialogue on Ukraine and burden-sharing within the alliance. His approach, described by diplomats as deferential but effective, may help temper Trump’s public criticism of NATO.

NATO, founded in 1949 to counter the Soviet threat, has long been the cornerstone of Western security. Trump’s repeated threats to withdraw have unsettled allies, who fear the alliance’s credibility could be undermined at a time of global instability.

As Trump and Rutte meet, the future of NATO hangs in the balance. The alliance faces the dual challenge of managing the war in Iran while maintaining unity over Ukraine. Whether Rutte can persuade Trump to ease his criticism and reaffirm U.S. commitment remains uncertain, but the stakes for transatlantic security could not be higher.