NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday reportedly praised President Donald Trump’s leadership in carrying out joint U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, calling the operation “crucial” during an appearance on Fox & Friends.
Rutte, speaking on Fox News, commended Trump for targeting not only Iran’s top leader but also the country’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.
“Let me also say that the commander-in-chief, the leader of the free world, President Donald J. Trump, I really commend what is happening here,” Rutte said. “Taking out Khamenei, taking out the nuclear capability in Iran, but also taking out the ballistic missile program in Iran. This is crucial.”
The NATO chief added that European leaders have largely backed the president’s actions.
“What I see in Europe — I spoke with all the key European leaders over the weekend — is widespread support for what the president is doing,” Rutte said.
His remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region and ongoing debate about the scope and consequences of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-Israeli military campaign now underway.
Fox & Friends co-host Lawrence Jones pressed Rutte on whether support across Europe was truly unified, pointing specifically to the United Kingdom. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially declined to allow the United States to use certain U.K. military bases for the strikes, citing concerns about legality. However, London later reversed course and approved their use.
“Why the trepidation?” Jones asked.
Rutte responded that the U.K. had needed to ensure the “legal case to be solid” before backing the operation, but said the country had ultimately “come around” to supporting it.
The exchange underscores the delicate balancing act some European governments are navigating as they weigh legal considerations against security concerns. Still, Rutte’s comments suggest that, at least behind closed doors, Trump’s approach has garnered significant backing among NATO allies.
Rutte’s praise came shortly before Trump shared an update of his own in a conversation with CNN’s Jake Tapper. According to Tapper, the president said Operation Epic Fury was progressing well and ahead of schedule.
“We’re knocking the crap out of them,” Tapper said Trump told him. The president added, “We haven’t even started hitting them hard. The big wave hasn’t even happened. The big one is coming soon.”
The remarks signal that the administration believes the operation has already achieved key objectives while leaving open the possibility of further escalation.
Rutte and Trump appear to have developed a strong working relationship in recent months. In January, Trump said he had negotiated what he described as a “complex” deal with Rutte for the United States to control Greenland, though few details about that arrangement have been publicly disclosed.
As Operation Epic Fury continues, Rutte’s endorsement on American television sends a clear message: at least from NATO’s top official, Trump’s decision to strike Iran’s leadership and military infrastructure is being viewed as a decisive and necessary move in confronting a long-standing adversary.
[READ MORE: Lindsey Graham Erupts on NBC Over Iran Questions]
