President Donald Trump received high praise at the 2025 NATO Summit after ordering a targeted strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities—a move hailed by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte as both “decisive” and “extraordinary.”
“You are a man of strength, but also a man of peace,” Rutte said during a public appearance alongside Trump. “Your action against Iran and your success in securing a ceasefire with Israel are commendable and critical for global security.”
Trump, en route to the Netherlands, shared personal texts from Rutte on Truth Social that echoed these sentiments. “It makes us all safer,” one message read, applauding Trump for doing what “no one else dared to do.”
The NATO chief also lauded Trump for achieving what past U.S. presidents could not: persuading nearly all NATO countries—except Spain—to commit to spending 5% of their GDP on defense. “This is another big success,” Rutte noted, calling the agreement historic.
Not all NATO leaders were fully aligned, but many acknowledged the high stakes of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Iran’s nuclear program a “grave threat to international security,” affirming the need for Iran to re-enter diplomatic negotiations. “Stability in the Middle East remains a priority,” Starmer posted on X.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that any resolution must support broader peace efforts in the region, including a ceasefire in Gaza.
While some leaders called for restraint, most agreed that the U.S. action sent a strong message. Trump’s leadership—once again—became a defining force in shaping the global security landscape, striking a balance between pressure and diplomacy in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
