Trump Rebukes NATO Over Iran After Meeting With Alliance’s Chief

In the United States on 9 April 2026, President Donald Trump criticised NATO over Iran after a meeting with the alliance's chief, Mark Rutte. Trump questioned NATO's support in the Iran war and renewed his complaint that the alliance did not back US operations in Iran. Rutte described the meeting as ‘very frank’.

Rutte defended the alliance while Trump threatened US withdrawal over Iran. Rutte was unable to placate Trump, and after the meeting he said he did not want to say anything wrong.