President Trump’s recent military strikes on Iran have created new tensions just before an important NATO summit in The Hague this week. The meeting, which was carefully planned to strengthen ties between the U.S. and European allies, might now focus on an unexpected military conflict.
According to The Washington Post, European leaders had hoped to avoid this situation, waiting for either Trump to change his mind or Iran to back down. Instead, they now face a growing conflict in the Middle East that could affect their countries too.
After ordering U.S. bombers to join Israel’s attack against Iran early Sunday, Trump proudly declared that “only American weapons could do what has been done.” This action came after he dismissed European diplomatic efforts in Geneva as unhelpful. Trump’s dismissive attitude toward traditional diplomatic channels has been a hallmark of his administration’s approach to international relations.
European leaders express concern over expanding conflict
The two-day summit starting Tuesday will give European leaders their first chance to speak directly with Trump about the strikes. Many are worried about a wider conflict that could create new refugee crises and disrupt global trade.
French President Emmanuel Macron has been particularly active in seeking a peaceful solution. He has spoken with leaders from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other countries in the region, pushing for renewed diplomatic talks. Macron stressed on social media that negotiations are the only way to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons and avoid making the situation worse.
The summit organizers had spent months carefully planning the meeting to satisfy Trump’s demands, including raising NATO’s military spending target to 5 percent of GDP. Trump’s demanding negotiation style and specific requirements have become familiar challenges for international partners. They also arranged special events, like a dinner at the Dutch king’s palace, knowing Trump’s appreciation for such ceremonies.
Some European nations are divided in their response to the U.S. strikes. While British Prime Minister Keir Starmer showed support for Trump’s actions, German politicians are split, with some praising the attack and others warning it could destabilize the region. France has clearly stated it did not participate in or help plan the U.S. strikes.
The current situation brings back memories of past conflicts where European nations joined U.S.-led wars, like in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, this time, Trump has not asked for European help, and many European leaders seem hesitant to get involved in another Middle Eastern conflict, especially since they weren’t included in the planning.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has tried to keep the Iran conflict separate from NATO’s main focus, saying it’s outside the alliance’s traditional defense area. However, if Iran responds by attacking U.S. bases in the region where European forces are also stationed, this position might become harder to maintain.
The summit was originally designed to focus on increasing NATO members’ military spending and improving relations between European countries and the United States. Now, leaders must also deal with an expanding conflict that none of them expected to dominate the meeting.
Published: Jun 23, 2025 12:39 pm