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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Wednesday he expects alliance leaders to reaffirm their call for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, placing maritime security at the center of the alliance's summit as tensions in the Gulf continue to reshape NATO's agenda.
Speaking ahead of the leaders' meeting in Ankara, Rutte said allies would once again underline that Iran "should never get its hands on a nuclear capability" while also stressing the importance of restoring full freedom of navigation through one of the world's busiest energy chokepoints.
The comments come as the Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of global security concerns despite efforts to ease tensions after the recent U.S.-Iran conflict. The strategic waterway, which carries around one-fifth of global oil shipments, has become a renewed focus of international security efforts following repeated disruptions to commercial shipping.
On Monday, tensions escalated again after three commercial vessels were struck in separate attacks while transiting the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters off Oman.
The attacks prompted the U.S. to launch a new wave of strikes against more than 80 Iranian military targets later that day. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, further raising tensions across the Gulf.
Separately, France and the U.K. are pushing for a multinational minesweeping and maritime security mission to protect commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The proposal, backed by several European allies, aims to clear potential naval mines and safeguard freedom of navigation, though it would require broader international coordination. Iran has continued to oppose any foreign security deployment in the waterway.
Rutte also defended the recent military strikes against Iran, describing them as "absolutely necessary," while emphasizing that U.S. President Donald Trump remains "fully committed" to NATO.
He added that it is reasonable to expect European allies and Canada to increase defense spending and shoulder a greater share of the alliance's security responsibilities, echoing one of the summit's central themes.
Beyond the Middle East, Rutte said leaders will also discuss Arctic security, arguing that NATO must ensure Russia and China do not expand their strategic influence in the region. He said "a good process" is underway regarding Greenland. This issue has drawn renewed attention after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his view that the Arctic island should come under U.S. control.
Trump has argued that Greenland is critical to U.S. and NATO security because of its strategic location between North America and Europe and its growing importance as Russia and China expand their Arctic activities.
Denmark has repeatedly rejected any suggestion of transferring sovereignty over the autonomous territory, insisting that Greenland's future can only be decided by its people.
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