STORY: :: Ankara, Turkey / July 8, 2026

:: The NATO chief says the new attack on Iran by the United States was 'absolutely necessary'

:: Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General

"I think it was absolutely necessary, because when you have a ceasefire, and Iran is basically violating the ceasefire, and we've seen what happened yesterday with ships being attacked, I think it is totally crucial that the U.S. forcefully reacts. // I also expect allies today to discuss Iran. I expect allies today to reconfirm that Iran should never, ever get its hands on a nuclear capability. And secondly, that the principle of the freedom of navigation, so the Strait of Hormuz completely opening up again is a sine qua non, is crucial for all 32 allies."

NATO's European leaders aim to convince U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday to re-commit to the military alliance at a summit in Ankara after the U.S. president revived his disputes with them over the Iran war and Greenland.

Trump, who has harshly criticized NATO during both his first and second terms in office, said he was "very disappointed" with the alliance and that the U.S. was not "treated well" during the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.