One of CNN's interlocutors emphasized that the President of the United States demanded for NATO countries to declare specific actions within a few days. The second diplomat pointed out that the security issue of the Strait of Hormuz is as important for Europe as for the US.
Diplomats noted that Rutte's meeting with Trump was of particular importance because the NATO secretary general was to explain to the US president that allies were completely surprised by the US and Israel starting a war against Iran. Some countries had to evacuate citizens from the region. The NATO head was to clearly convey to the American leader that the Alliance is acting as a coalition whose goal is to jointly support the opening of the strait.
In his Thursday speech in Washington, Mark Rutte emphasized that under the leadership of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and with the cooperation of 34 countries, NATO and the United States are presenting a common position on the crisis in the region. Rutte stressed that closing the Strait of Hormuz cannot be accepted and that it is necessary to reopen it and maintain the free passage of tankers through this strategic sea route.
