US President Donald Trump said several NATO partner countries did not stand by the United States during the war against Iran, calling their stance “disappointing”. He made the remarks during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Oval Office in the White House.
Trump said the US did not need assistance in the conflict and claimed that Iran was “destroyed” in the first week. However, he added that it would have mattered if allies had at least expressed willingness to help.
He singled out Spain and said he was disappointed with Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany and France, adding that he felt let down by “most” allies. Trump also alleged that many did not want to pay and expected benefits for free, while he wanted loyalty rather than money.
Rutte rejected the suggestion that European allies failed to support the US. He said Iran’s acquisition of nuclear capability would have threatened the region and the world, and noted that G7 leaders had praised the disabling of that capability. Rutte also pointed to operational support, saying 4,000 to 5,000 US aircraft sorties departed from bases in Europe during the six-week war.
