Trump, NATO Leaders Discuss Iran Ceasefire, Defense Spending Increase

At the 2025 NATO summit in the Netherlands, President Donald Trump highlighted the success of recent strikes on Iran's nuclear program, despite some intelligence indicating that certain sites may have been missed. Trump also emphasized the importance of a sustained ceasefire between Israel and Iran and pushed NATO leaders to endorse a plan to increase their defense spending to 5 percent of their GDP, significantly higher than the current 2 percent target. In parallel, Trump is actively lobbying in Washington for the passage of a large tax and immigration package. The summit also saw the U.K. announce its purchase of 12 U.S.-made F35 fighter jets, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, marking the most substantial enhancement of its nuclear posture in a generation, which NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised. Concerns among NATO members about the U.S.'s commitment to Article 5 were also noted, given the complex regional security challenges involving Ukraine and Gaza. Trump and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte addressed the media to discuss these issues, reinforcing transatlantic cooperation amid ongoing Middle East tensions.