NATO chief says he understands Trump's 'disappointment' with allies over Iran

Donald Trump is "clearly disappointed" with many NATO allies for not supporting the US and Israel's war on Iran to the extent he wanted, the alliance's Secretary General Mark Rutte said after holding talks with the US president.

Trump's anger with NATO countries for not backing the American military effort has led him to threaten pulling the US out of the trans-Atlantic pact.

Rutte, who described the meeting as a frank and open discussion between "two good friends," told CNN that he understood the president's disappointment.

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But he said he pointed out to Trump that many European nations helped in other ways, including by providing logistics, overflights, basing and other support.

The White House continued to turn up the heat on NATO ahead of the meeting, saying American withdrawal may be on the agenda.

In a statement from Trump, provided by his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, he said that NATO allies "were tested and failed" when he launched a war with Iran and they did not come to the United States' aid.

"And I would add, it's quite sad that NATO turned its back on the American people over the course of the last six weeks, when it's the American people who have been funding their defence."

Rutte declined to answer whether the president said he would attempt a withdrawal.

"Well, as I said, there is a disappointment, clearly, but at the same time, he was also listening (carefully) to my arguments of what is happening" Rutte said when pressed on the matter.

Rutte insisted that much of Europe supports the president when it comes to taking out Iran's capacity to "export chaos."

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When asked if the US was still considering withdrawing from NATO, Leavitt said "it's something the president has discussed and I think it's something the president will be discussing in a couple of hours with Secretary-General Rutte."

Trump has repeatedly threatened to pull out of the 77-year security alliance with Canada, the UK, France and 28 other European countries as early as his first term.

He's long argued they've been too dependent on the powerful US military for propping up NATO, saying other member nations should increase their defence spending. 

But Congress would have to approve a withdrawal from NATO, which appears unlikely.

Trump has said previously he and Rutte have a good relationship, describing the former Dutch prime minister as a "wonderful person".

But that's been put to the test over the past six weeks, with the US president describing NATO as a "paper tiger" for not joining strikes against Iran.

Trump was especially angry with alliance countries for not offering to help secure the Strait of Hormuz - where one-fifth of the world's oil flows through.

He insisted it was not the American military's job but the responsibility of countries that depend on the flow of oil through it.

"Go to the strait and just take it," Trump said last week. 

Trump was also angered as NATO allies Spain and France forbade or restricted use of their airspace or joint military facilities for the US in the war.

They and other nations, however, agreed to help with an international coalition to open the Strait of Hormuz when the conflict ends.

- With Associated Press

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