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NATO chief grovels to Trump, credits EU bases for illegal US strikes on Iran

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NATO chief grovels to Trump, credits EU bases for illegal US strikes on Iran

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has claimed that between 4,000 and 5,000 US planes took off from European bases during Trump's illegal war against Iran. Trying to ease Trump's disappointment at Europe's lack of enthusiasm, Rutte said: "I would argue it would have been very difficult to do Iran without having Europe as a power projection platform for the United States."

Trump meanwhile, continued to say he was disappointed with Italy, France, Germany and the UK lack of support, singling out Spain as a "horror show." He did praise Poland though, saying their support as a NATO member was "very good."

On Tuesday, NATO's Rutte had also shared on Fox News, that 500 US warplanes utilised Italian bases specifically during Trump war of aggression on Iran. That figure was part of the total of up to 5,000 US takeoffs.

However, Reuters reported that Rutte's comments about Italian bases sparked a "political backlash" in Italy. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has firmly rejected the suggestion of combat involvement, clarifying that Italy's support was strictly limited to technical and logistical, non-kinetic activities. Reuters: "Italy rebukes NATO's Rutte over remarks on US use of bases in Iran war."