US Strikes 80+ Iranian Targets; NATO Secretary General: 'Absolutely Necessary'

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declared the recent U.S. airstrikes against over 80 Iranian targets as "absolutely necessary." The strikes, carried out by the U.S. military with precision-guided weapons on July 7th, followed attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which escalated tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

Speaking ahead of the NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of a strong response when a ceasefire agreement is openly violated. "When a ceasefire agreement is in effect, and Iran openly violates the ceasefire agreement, I think it is crucial that the United States takes a strong response," he told reporters.

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When a ceasefire agreement is in effect, and Iran openly violates the ceasefire agreement, I think it is crucial that the United States takes a strong response.

Stoltenberg also used the occasion to reiterate his call for European countries and Canada to increase their defense expenditures. He stressed that these nations are expected to raise their military spending to align with U.S. contributions to NATO's defense budget. "The good news is that today the biggest victory is that they are doing so," Stoltenberg remarked, framing this increase in defense spending as a win for U.S. President Trump and a setback for Russian President Putin.

The NATO chief affirmed that the U.S. commitment to the alliance remains unquestionable and that NATO's existence contributes to U.S. security. However, he underscored the need for a more equitable distribution of defense burdens within the alliance, suggesting that increased spending by European allies would strengthen collective security and demonstrate solidarity.

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The good news is that today the biggest victory is that they are doing so. This is a victory for U.S. President Trump, and a loss for Russian President Putin.