Tensions between the United States and its Nato partners escalated on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump voiced sharp dissatisfaction during talks with alliance chief Mark Rutte at the White House.
Following the two-hour meeting, Rutte acknowledged strains within the alliance, describing the exchange as candid but constructive, even as divisions over the conflict with Iran came into clearer focus.
"He is clearly disappointed with many Nato allies, and I can see his point," Rutte said on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper, adding: "This was a very frank, very open discussion, but also a discussion between two good friends," Reuters reported.
The comments came after the White House underscored Trump’s frustration, with spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt quoting the president as saying Nato allies had been “tested” by the crisis and fallen short.
Disagreements have centred on the military response to Iran, with several member states declining to back US operations — including denying access to their airspace and withholding naval support to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Rutte, without naming specific countries, said that in his view "some" Nato members had failed to meet expectations during the Iran operation, though "the large majority of Europeans" had been supportive.
Details of the talks were not disclosed by the White House. Trump, however, took to Truth Social after the meeting, writing in capital letters: "NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN. REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE."
In recent weeks, Trump has intensified his criticism of NATO, branding it a “paper tiger” and raising the possibility of a US withdrawal from the 32-member alliance. He has argued that European allies have relied heavily on American security guarantees while offering limited support for the US-Israeli campaign against Iran.
Trump has also urged countries dependent on Gulf energy supplies to act against Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz. However, European governments are unlikely to participate in mine-clearing or similar operations to restore navigation while hostilities continue, two diplomats told Reuters.
On Tuesday, Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before a deadline he had set for Tehran to reopen the strait or face potential strikes on civilian infrastructure. The extension followed a request from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who urged more time for diplomacy.
Announcing the deal, Trump said the ceasefire was contingent on Iran pausing its blockade of oil and gas shipments through the waterway, which typically carries about one-fifth of global oil flows.
"This will be a double-sided CEASEFIRE!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East."
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, later said Tehran would halt counterattacks and ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict, which began on February 28, has killed thousands, spread across the Middle East, and severely disrupted global energy supplies.
