"You are a peace-loving man of strength; your bold action to destroy Iran's weapons of mass destruction will keep the world safe" – NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

"You are a peace-loving man of strength; your bold action to destroy Iran's weapons of mass destruction will keep the world safe" – NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte [The Hague, June 25, 2025]

The 2025 NATO Summit showcased a unique blend of diplomatic intensity and geopolitical strategy surrounding the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump. In the wake of the U.S.-led strikes that destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte heaped high praise on President Trump, stating, “You are a symbol of peace, a portrait of courage.”

“Your decisive action on Iran sends an important message to the entire world. You are a strong leader, yet a peace-loving one. Your leadership made the ceasefire between Israel and Iran possible,” Rutte added.

He further noted that Trump’s pressure on NATO allies to increase defense spending is becoming a reality. “Except for Spain, all NATO members have now agreed to spend 5% of their GDP on defense — something Trump has achieved, which no American president has been able to do for decades.”

While en route to the Netherlands to attend the summit, Trump shared personal messages from Rutte on his Truth Social account. One of the texts read:
“Your decision on Iran is truly historic. You’ve done something no one else dared to do. It will keep us all safe.”

Reactions from other NATO member states and key allies were mixed. While many identified Iran’s nuclear program as a “threat to global security,” others, though not directly condemning the strikes, expressed cautious diplomatic concern.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. The U.S. action has helped reduce that threat, but it’s now time to pursue diplomacy.”
“As we envisioned at the G7 Summit, a broader Middle East peace framework should emerge — with a ceasefire in Gaza as a key component.”

Experts suggest that Trump’s military and diplomatic strategy may have a significant impact on U.S. coalition politics. However, the future will largely depend on how Iran responds to the attack — whether it adjusts its diplomatic stance under international pressure and returns to the negotiating table.

Diplomats believe this situation could pave the way for a new “Iran Nuclear Deal 2.0” through mediation by NATO, the European Union, and the United Nations.