Ankara: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that 5,000 aircraft have been deployed from Europe to support the ongoing military operation in Iran. In a press statement preceding the official NATO summit, Rutte highlighted the potential threat posed by Iran to regional and global stability, noting its proximity to acquiring nuclear capabilities.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Rutte emphasized weaknesses in European and American defense production, attributing these shortcomings in part to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He described the current NATO summit in Ankara as a pivotal moment for the alliance, marking a new phase characterized by a more equitable distribution of defense responsibilities among member nations.

Rutte remarked that many have yet to fully understand the scale of this transformation, asserting that the events of the two-day summit represent a fundamental shift in NATO's operations. He criticized the alliance's previous structure, which heavily relied on the United States for defense, combined with insufficient military spending and production in Europe. He stressed that this dynamic is now undergoing significant change.

He further noted that the 32 member states of NATO recognize the importance of adhering to the alliance's core principle of collective security, affirming the United States' unwavering commitment to the organization. Rutte explained that Washington's dedication is driven not only by a desire to avoid past mistakes of withdrawing from Europe but also because NATO serves American security interests.

Rutte concluded by affirming the alliance's foundation on shared values and Article 5 on collective defense, underscoring the mutual benefits for all members and expressing confidence in the continued commitment of the United States to NATO.