'I commend the President': NATO chief backs Trump's Iran strikes as Europe keeps its distance

WASHINGTON, DC: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte threw his support behind President Donald Trump's military campaign against Iran on Thursday, praising the operation even as several European leaders sought to distance themselves from the strikes.

Rutte said both last year's Midnight Hammer nuclear facility bombing campaign and the recent operation, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," played a key role in degrading Tehran's nuclear capabilities, while also crediting Trump with pushing NATO allies to increase defense spending.

Mark Rutte praises Trump's Iran operation despite European criticism

"What the US did is crucial," Rutte told reporters during a roundtable interview.

"I commend the president for doing that."

The NATO chief said both last year's Midnight Hammer nuclear facility bombing campaign and the more recent operation, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," played a key role in degrading Iran's nuclear capabilities.

"This whole operation, Epic Fury, and the bombing last year is all part of degrading the nuclear capability," Rutte said, calling it "crucial for Europe; crucial for, of course, the Middle East."

The remarks put Rutte at odds with several European politicians who have criticized Trump's approach toward Iran or publicly distanced themselves from the operation, with some countries denying the US access to military bases during the conflict.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, for example, called the US-led operation "illegal, reckless and unjust" in March, warning that the West could not "play Russian roulette with the destiny of millions of people."

Spain barred US war-related flights from its airspace and was among several countries that declined to allow American forces to use jointly operated military bases for the campaign, drawing criticism from Trump over what he viewed as a lack of NATO support.

Still, Rutte argued Europe contributed in other ways.

"More generally speaking, Europe functioned as the power projection platform of the US," he said, citing thousands of US military sorties launched from European bases.

Rutte also credited Trump with forcing European nations to finally boost defense spending after years of lagging behind Washington.

"I would say largely thanks to this president," Rutte said. "I credit him for this."

Mark Rutte says Russia is 'not playing ball' on Ukraine

Rutte also weighed in on Trump's evolving relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after Trump called Zelensky "courageous" a day earlier.

Rutte suggested Trump's warmer remarks during their Oval Office meeting on Wednesday reflected growing recognition of Ukraine's recent battlefield successes against Russia.

"I think what the president also acknowledged … is that the Ukrainians are doing quite well," Rutte said.

He pointed to successful Ukrainian strikes against Russian oil refineries and military targets deep inside Russian territory while arguing Moscow's losses continue to mount to roughly 35,000 troops per month.

Rutte also pushed back on suggestions that the Iran conflict had diverted US attention from Ukraine, saying senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner remain actively engaged in the peace process.

"The problem is that Putin is not playing ball," he said. "The only one willing to sit down is Zelensky. Zelensky is willing to sit down with Putin, sit down with anyone to get to a deal.”

"The president himself, but also [Secretary of State Marco] Rubio and [Special Envoy Steve] Witkoff and [Jared] Kushner" remain engaged, he said.