Middle East conflict follow President Trump to NATO Talks
President Donald Trump is attending the NATO Summit today, with rising tensions in the Middle East casting a shadow over the agenda.
(CNN)- President Donald Trump is attending the NATO Summit today, with rising tensions in the Middle East casting a shadow over the agenda. Lawmakers in Washington are being briefed on the latest developments involving Iran, after a flurry of military activity over the weekend.
President Trump announced overnight that Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire, though specific details have not been released. The announcement comes amid escalating conflict, including Iran’s reported missile attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar. Qatari officials say the missiles were successfully intercepted.
That strike followed U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. Former Deputy Director of National Intelligence Beth Sanner, who served under both Trump and Biden, emphasized the limitations of a purely military strategy.
“You cannot bomb away Iran’s nuclear program into zero,” Sanner said. “There’s knowledge, so we need negotiations that are serious.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed Iran will likely be a major topic during the summit, especially as its military support for Russia—through drone deliveries—is affecting Ukraine and broader European security.
“Iran is heavily involved in the fight of Russia against Ukraine,” said Rutte. “Their drones are killing innocent Ukrainians every day… without any respect for life.”
Still, analysts say the summit’s primary focus will be defense spending. Trump has cooled U.S. support for Ukraine and is pushing for NATO members to contribute five percent of their GDP to defense—well above the current two percent target, which many countries have yet to meet.
Michael Carpenter, former Europe Senior Director on the National Security Council, noted growing concern among allies.
“They’re very worried about potential U.S. force posture cuts in Europe,” he said, “and the unraveling transatlantic consensus on both Ukraine and Russia.”
