conflictThursday, June 25, 2026event Jun 255 sources

Trump Condemns NATO Allies for Failing to Support US in Iran War

On June 25, 2026, President Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, where he criticized European allies for not supporting the US military campaign against Iran. Trump accused allies like the UK, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany of not contributing financially or militarily, while Rutte noted that 4,000-5,000 US aircraft operated from European bases during the conflict. The meeting highlighted deepening tensions within NATO over the war effort.

President Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on June 25, 2026, to express his frustration over the lack of support from European allies in the Iran war. Trump stated that European allies 'don't want to pay anything' and expressed disappointment with their lack of financial or military assistance. He also mentioned that a proposal of assistance from allies would have been welcome, but no such support was provided. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defended the European allies, noting that 4,000-5,000 US aircraft operated from European bases during the Iran conflict. However, sources differ on the specifics of Trump's remarks. France24 reported that Trump said Washington had 'demolished' Iran without needing assistance, while TASS noted that Trump criticized Spanish authorities for not wanting to pay anything. NPR confirmed the meeting and Trump's frustrations but did not include the aircraft detail.

Where Sources Diverge

NPR and France24 both report Trump's meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and his criticism of European allies, but France24 provides additional context about the number of US aircraft operating from European bases during the conflict.

npr

President Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Wednesday, where he shared his frustrations with the lack of support he's received from European leaders on the Iran war.

france24

Trump told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday he was disappointed that alliance members did not back the US military campaign against Iran, saying Washington had 'demolished' Iran without needing assistance. Rutte defended allies, noting that 4,000-5,000 US aircraft operated from bases in Europe during the conflict.

TASS reports Trump's criticism of European allies for not supporting the Iran war, but does not mention the number of US aircraft operating from European bases.

tass

The US president also criticized Spanish authorities as they 'don't want to pay anything'

tass

European allies let US down during Iran conflict, Trump says

Timelines

Sources

PublicNPRJun 25, 12:44 PM
Trump airs grievances with NATO chief over alliance's lack of Iran war support

President Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Wednesday, where he shared his frustrations with the lack of support he's received from allies on the Iran war.

PublicNPRJun 25, 12:44 PM
Trump airs grievances with NATO chief over lack of Iran war support

President Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Wednesday, where he shared his frustrations with the lack of support he's received from European leaders on the Iran war.

StateTASSJun 25, 03:54 AM
US disappointed with UK, Spain, Italy, France, Germany as NATO allies — Trump

The US president also criticized Spanish authorities as they "don't want to pay anything"

PublicFrance 24Jun 25, 01:55 AM
Trump says NATO allies ‘let down’ US by not backing Iran war

Trump told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday he was disappointed that alliance members did not back the US military campaign against Iran, saying Washington had "demolished" Iran without needing assistance. Rutte defended allies, noting that 4,000-5,000 US aircraft operated from bases in Europe during the conflict.

StateTASSJun 25, 12:56 AM
European allies let US down during Iran conflict, Trump says

The US president added that a proposal of assistance would have been welcome