Nato Chief Confirms U.S Intelligence: Iran Was ‘Close’ to Developing Nuclear Weapon

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed this week that Iran was nearing nuclear weapons capability, backing the assessment of President Donald Trump’s negotiator Steven Witkoff as the U.S.-led military campaign against the Iranian regime continues.

While clarifying that NATO as an alliance is not formally involved in the war effort, Rutte made clear that he believes the threat was real and imminent.

“NATO is not itself involved, but let’s be absolutely clear-eyed to what’s happening here: Iran is close to getting its hands on a nuclear capability and a ballistic missile capability, which is both a threat to not only the region, the Middle East, including posing an existential threat to Israel, but it is also posing a new threat to us here in Europe,” Rutte said.

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‘We Are All Better Off’ With Khamenei Gone

Rutte went further, stating that the elimination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the degradation of Iran’s missile infrastructure have made the world safer.

“The fact that Khamenei is now gone, who is responsible for only this year, thousands, potentially 10,000 of people dying because of the Iranian regime,” he stated.

“And people were starting to protest against the regime in January.

“We have seen all that.

“So I think we are all better off with him gone and with the nuclear and ballistic capability being beaten and degraded as it is, as we speak.”

He added that support among NATO leaders has been strong.

“I was on the phone with many leaders over the weekend and also early this week, and I clearly sensed that taking out nuclear capability, taking out the ballistic missile capability, and also Khamenei, this is applauded by many of my colleagues in NATO,” Rutte said.

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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomes the death of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei during a visit to North Macedonia pic.twitter.com/YoGgSgoqVr

— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 3, 2026

Rutte Commends President Trump

Speaking on Fox & Friends, Rutte offered direct praise for President Trump’s leadership.

“First of all, say that my thoughts are with the service members, the U. S. service members who made the ultimate sacrifice over the last couple of days,” Rutte said.

“And let me also say that the commander-in-chief, the leader of the free world, President Donald J. Trump, I really commend what is happening here, taking out Khamenei, taking out the nuclear capability in Iran, but also taking out the ballistic missile program in Iran. This is crucial.”

Rutte also emphasized European backing for the mission.

“And what I see in Europe — I spoke with all the key European leaders over the weekend — is widespread support for what the president is doing and also making sure that, when it comes to logistics, access, defending key U. S. interests in Europe and in the region, the Europeans are really stepping up.”

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Growing International Alignment

Rutte’s remarks signal growing transatlantic alignment behind Operation Epic Fury and its objectives of eliminating Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.

As U.S. and Israeli forces continue targeting military infrastructure inside Iran, NATO’s top official has now publicly affirmed that Tehran was nearing nuclear breakout status and that neutralizing that threat has broad support among Western leaders.

For the Trump administration, Rutte’s comments reinforce the argument that decisive military action was necessary to prevent a regime long designated as the world’s leading state sponsor of terror from acquiring nuclear weapons.

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