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Trump tells NATO chief: Alliance countries let us down in Iran war
🇩🇰 Denmark /Elections & Politics

Trump tells NATO chief: Alliance countries let us down in Iran war

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • U.S. President Donald Trump told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that the alliance failed to support the U.S. during its offensive in Iran.
  • Trump stated that the U.S. "obliterated" Iran in the first week and did not need help, but would have appreciated a show of support.
  • Rutte defended NATO countries, presenting data showing increased defense spending after Trump took office.

During a meeting at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with NATO's support during the American offensive in Iran. Standing alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump declared, "We were let down. We didn't need help at all. We literally obliterated Iran in the first week. But it would have been nice if they had said, 'we want to help.'"

Rutte, however, defended the NATO member states, emphasizing their commitment and support for the alliance. To illustrate his point, Rutte presented a graph indicating a significant increase in defense spending by European countries since Trump assumed the presidency. This countered Trump's narrative of insufficient backing from allies.

We were let down. We didn't need help at all. We literally obliterated Iran in the first week. But it would have been nice if they had said, 'we want to help.'

— Donald TrumpExpressing his view on NATO's lack of support during the U.S. offensive in Iran.

Trump has previously voiced criticism towards NATO members, including Italy and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, for their perceived lack of support during the Iran conflict. He took to Truth Social to express his frustration, writing, "After spending trillions of dollars on NATO, Italy and its Prime Minister will not even consider getting involved in the Islamic Republic of Iran and their very serious nuclear threat." This echoed his earlier complaints about Italy not allowing the use of military bases during the war.

The context of these remarks involves ongoing technical negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, aimed at establishing a more lasting peace agreement. A framework agreement was recently signed, with both parties agreeing to a roadmap for peace within 60 days. These technical talks are scheduled to take place in Switzerland on June 29 or 30, with Qatar and Pakistan acting as mediators.

After spending trillions of dollars on NATO, Italy and its Prime Minister will not even consider getting involved in the Islamic Republic of Iran and their very serious nuclear threat.

— Donald TrumpCriticizing Italy's government for perceived lack of support during the Iran war, posted on Truth Social.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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