An Iranian missile was flying towards Turkey. NATO chief speaks out

French President Emmanuel Macron's speech on nuclear deterrence was not due to concerns about the United States' commitment as an ally, because Washington is completely committed to NATO, assured the head of the Alliance, Mark Rutte, in an interview with Reuters.

“It's not about concerns about US involvement.”

– This has nothing to do with concerns about (…) the US, Rutte said in an interview. “Generally speaking, I am absolutely convinced that the United States is completely committed to NATO,” he added.

President Macron announced on Monday that eight countries had agreed to take part in France's proposed advanced deterrence; these are: Belgium, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. He also announced an increase in the number of nuclear warheads. The extent of this increase is unknown.

Rutte was also asked in the interview about events related to the US and Israeli attack on Iran.

The NATO head emphasized that Iran was close to acquiring nuclear and missile capabilities that could also pose a threat to Europe. He added that the Alliance supports US President Donald Trump's actions aimed at Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

“Nobody's Talking About Article Five”

He noted that in the context of the Iranian missile fired towards Turkey, “no one talks about Article Five.” Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all member countries.

However, Rutte admitted that the incident with an Iranian missile fired at Turkey was serious. He added that the Alliance's reaction showed that NATO remains vigilant.

The Turkish Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that a ballistic missile fired from Iran into Turkish airspace was destroyed by NATO air and missile defense systems over the eastern Mediterranean. No one was hurt. In connection with the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara summoned the Iranian ambassador for an interview and handed him a protest note, while the Turkish Ministry of Defense emphasized in a statement that “Turkey reserves the right to react to any hostile action against it.”

The Secretary General also assured in an interview with Reuters that NATO allies will continue to support Ukraine, despite the situation in Iran.

– Many leaders in Europe, the United States and Canada believe it has to be a “both” approach. (That is), we must, as allies, enable Americans to operate in the Middle East, (…) and at the same time ensure that Ukraine has everything it needs to remain strong in the ongoing fight, declared the head of the Alliance.

From Brussels Łukasz Osiński (PAP)

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