Last Updated:

Mark Rutte defended the Iran strikes, asking, “Doesn’t he deserve some grace?” while pointing to Donald Trump’s decision to bomb nuclear sites.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised Donald Trump’s military strikes on Iran, describing the American president as a firm parental figure stepping in during a crisis. After Donald Trump compared Iran and Israel to “two kids in a school yard," Mark Rutte extended the metaphor, saying, “Then daddy has to sometimes use strong language."

Mark Rutte’s remark came during a press conference following Donald Trump’s meeting with NATO leaders. Asked whether his approach toward Donald Trump appeared “weak" or even “demeaning", Mark Rutte dismissed the criticism, saying, “No, I don’t think so. I think it’s a bit of a question of taste. But he is a good friend."

“Doesn’t he deserve some grace?" Mark Rutte asked, pointing to the decision to bomb Iranian nuclear sites, adding, “I think he deserves all the praise."

A new level of cringe: Rutte calls Trump “Daddy". — PaulC (@PaulConRO) June 25, 2025

The Dutch leader also credited Donald Trump for pushing NATO members toward higher defense spending. “Would you ever think this would be the result of this summit if he would not have been re-elected president?" he asked rhetorically.

Donald Trump, who had earlier called the strike a “spectacular military success," also posted a private text message from Mark Rutte on his Truth Social platform in which the NATO boss wrote, “That was truly extraordinary. Something no one else dared to do."

Donald Trump also drew comparisons between the US airstrikes on Iran and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, describing both as actions that brought wars to an end.

“I don’t want to use an example of Hiroshima. I don’t want to use an example of Nagasaki, but that was essentially the same thing that ended that war," Donald Trump said at the NATO summit in The Hague.

Getbreaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!

First Published:

June 25, 2025, 19:31 IST