President Donald Trump received strong praise at the 2025 NATO Summit after the United States launched targeted strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte lauded Trump as both a “man of strength” and a “man of peace,” citing his decisive actions and efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25, 2025. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
“I just want to recognize your decisive action on Iran,” Rutte said during a joint appearance with the president. “You are a man of strength, but you are also a man of peace. And the fact that you’ve helped secure a ceasefire between Israel and Iran—I truly commend you. This is significant for the entire world.”
The summit, held in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25, featured high-level discussions among NATO leaders. During his trip, Trump shared a series of messages from Rutte, in which the secretary-general praised the U.S. strikes as bold and necessary.
“Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran,” Rutte reportedly texted. “It was truly extraordinary—something no one else dared to do. It makes us all safer.”
Rutte also commended Trump for securing an unprecedented defense spending agreement among NATO members. All member nations—except Spain—pledged to allocate 5% of their GDP to defense, a major shift in alliance policy.
“You’re flying into another big success,” Rutte wrote. “You’ve accomplished what no American president in decades could achieve.”
While Trump was met with strong support from some allies, reactions to the strikes on Iran were mixed. Several NATO leaders called for restraint while recognizing the potential danger of a nuclear-armed Iran.
Leaders of NATO member states had mixed reactions to the strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities. (REUTERS/Claudia Greco)
“Iran’s nuclear program is a grave threat to international security. Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon,” said U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a statement on X. “We support efforts to prevent that outcome, but urge a return to diplomacy to ensure stability in the region.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed the call for de-escalation, adding that any resolution should contribute to a broader peace process.
“As G7 leaders reaffirmed in Kananaskis, resolving the Iranian crisis must be part of a larger strategy to reduce hostilities across the Middle East, including achieving a ceasefire in Gaza,” Carney stated.
The summit concluded with a symbolic show of unity, though the path ahead remains uncertain amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
