Mark Carney backs US strike on Iran; Donald Trump slams NATO allies

 

 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has backed the latest US military strikes on Iran, calling them an appropriate response to ceasefire violations. US President Donald Trump, who announced the end of the ceasefire agreement by Iran, has sharply criticized NATO allies for not supporting the US and Israel in the war. Carney said Iran had attacked Saudi Arabia and Qatar and that they were trying to de-escalate the situation.

While US Central Command said its action was in response to the attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded by attacking US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. Trump said he was disappointed that his allies were not standing by him and that his friendship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was the only reason he attended the summit. Although Trump accused European countries of not allowing the use of their airspace and military bases during the war, the European Union argued that they had fulfilled their obligations in this war that began without consulting them in advance.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte dismissed the differences between the allies. The summit is preparing to demand that Iran ensure freedom of international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and operate openly. Carney said he reminded Trump that NATO is a defense alliance. But he said that Trump's pressure has been able to make allies more responsible. He added that NATO countries have accepted Trump's arguments about sharing defense responsibilities equally. Mark Carney also stated that Canada, the Nordic countries, Germany, and the Baltic countries are developing concrete plans to strengthen the defense of the Arctic region.