Iran has accused NATO allies of sharing responsibility for the conflict after claiming European countries provided bases and infrastructure supporting recent US-Israeli military operations against Tehran.
WEBDESK – SHARJAH NEWS
Iran has accused NATO member states that allowed the United States and Israel to use their territory, military bases or infrastructure during recent strikes on Iran of sharing responsibility for the conflict and its consequences, escalating tensions between Tehran and the Western alliance.
Speaking on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said countries that facilitated the military operations could not claim neutrality. He argued that by providing logistical support, European allies had become parties to the conflict and should be held accountable for its outcomes.
Baghaei also criticized NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, accusing him of abandoning neutrality and of attempting to justify NATO’s involvement by repeatedly praising Washington. According to Tehran, Rutte’s recent remarks demonstrated that several European governments were actively aligned with the United States during the conflict.
The criticism follows comments made by Rutte on Wednesday, in which he described the latest US military strikes against Iran as “absolutely necessary.” He said Washington was compelled to respond after accusing Tehran of violating the ceasefire and attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Rutte also acknowledged that European NATO allies had supported earlier US operations by providing airports, military infrastructure, and other logistical assistance, although he maintained that NATO as an alliance was not directly involved in combat operations.
Tehran has seized on those remarks as evidence that European countries played an active supporting role in the US-Israeli campaign. Iranian officials argue that such assistance makes participating states jointly responsible for the war and any resulting consequences.
The exchange comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf following renewed US-Iran hostilities and growing international concern over security in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy shipping route.
