NATO chief says 22 nations coordinating to secure Strait of Hormuz, backs US stance on Iran

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has backed US President Donald Trump’s position on Iran and allied defence efforts, pointing to rising security risks in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East.

Speaking on Fox News, Rutte said a coalition of 22 countries — including NATO members and partners such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, the UAE and Bahrain — is working with the United States to ensure the key shipping route remains open and secure. Navigation through the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies — has been increasingly strained by the conflict, raising risks to shipping, energy flows, and global markets.

Rutte acknowledged criticism from Washington over the pace of allied contributions but noted growing coordination in recent days. Rutte also supported US efforts to counter Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, describing them as a threat to Israel, Europe, and global stability.

Trump last week criticised NATO’s response to Iran as passive, saying, “Without the United States, NATO is a paper tiger,” and that “they didn’t want to join the fight to stop a nuclear-armed Iran.”

In a related development, Trump on ⁠Monday (23 March) said that the US and Iran have held talks on the “complete and total resolution of hostilities” in the Middle East and extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying the US will hold off striking power plants in the country for five days.

“I am pleased to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

“I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions,” he added.

Trump later told reporters that Iran wants “to make a deal,” and claimed US envoys have been holding talks with a “respected” Iranian leader.

ℹ️ FOX News, Al Jazeera