US Attacks on Iran Were Necessary, Says NATO Chief

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the latest US military strikes on Iran as "absolutely necessary". He said Washington had responded appropriately to what he described as Iran's violation of the ceasefire following attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

The US carried out airstrikes on Iranian targets and reinstated restrictions on Iranian oil exports.

Ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, Rutte also sought to reassure allies about Washington's commitment to the Alliance. He said the US remains fully committed to NATO while arguing that it is reasonable to expect European allies and Canada to increase their defense spending.

According to Rutte, the allies' growing willingness to invest more in defense is one of the summit's key achievements and represents a strategic defeat for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

(Reuters, mja)