NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has reportedly informed European governments that US President Donald Trump is
seeking concrete commitments within days to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, according to diplomats.
Rutte, often described in Europe as a “Trump whisperer,” has been working to ease rising tensions after Trump suggested he was considering stepping away from the 32-member transatlantic alliance. The US President has argued that European allies have long depended on American security guarantees while contributing insufficiently to US-Israeli operations related to Iran.
Diplomatic sources told Reuters that Rutte conveyed Trump’s expectations during his recent meeting at the White House. In response, several European allies have reportedly expressed willingness to assist, but only after a sustained ceasefire and assurances that their vessels will not face attacks in the region.
Speaking in Washington after his meeting with Trump, Rutte acknowledged that some NATO members were initially slow to respond to US requests regarding Iran and were taken by surprise. However, he noted that there is now growing support, including logistical and basing assistance. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart also confirmed that the Secretary General remains in contact with allies regarding his discussions in Washington.
Meanwhile, tensions within the alliance have been further highlighted after Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen urged NATO members to uphold international law and rejected recent remarks made by Trump about the Arctic region.
Rutte, in his remarks, admitted that NATO is going through a period of significant change but emphasized that it is becoming stronger. He stated that European members are taking on a larger and fairer share of responsibility for conventional defence.
Although Trump recently announced a two-week pause in strikes against Iran, diplomatic strains within NATO continue. One diplomat noted frustration in Washington over the lack of prior consultation with allies, while also acknowledging that NATO itself is unlikely to play a direct role in the Iran conflict. However, discussions are ongoing regarding long-term security arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz.
Following his meeting with Rutte, Trump posted on Truth Social, claiming in capital letters that “NATO wasn’t there when we needed them, and they won’t be there if we need them again.”
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