Iran accuses NATO of complicity in US-Israel military action

TEHRAN – Iran on Thursday accused the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) of being complicit in the recent US-Israeli military action against the country after NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte referred to allied support provided to the United States during the operation. The remarks came after US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment over what he described as insufficient backing from some allies during the conflict with Iran. In an interview with a US television network, Rutte said several NATO member states had facilitated American military operations by providing access to bases and logistical support. He stated that hundreds of US aircraft operated from bases in Italy as part of the military campaign and noted that some allied countries had adjusted civilian aviation operations to accommodate military requirements. Reacting to the comments, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei accused NATO of playing an active role in what he described as an unlawful act of aggression against a sovereign state. In a statement posted on social media, Baqaei said the remarks amounted to an admission of NATO’s involvement in the conflict and alleged that such actions violated international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. The accusations further highlighted tensions between Tehran and Western governments following the recent escalation in hostilities involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Meanwhile, Italy sought to distance itself from interpretations of Rutte’s remarks. The Italian Defence Ministry said the comments could create a misleading impression regarding Rome’s role during the operation. Italian officials clarified that the country had only authorised technical and logistical flights by US forces under existing bilateral agreements and had not provided support beyond those arrangements. The exchange comes amid continued diplomatic fallout from the conflict, which has drawn international attention and renewed d