US-Iran Conflict Fuels Divisions Within NATO, Media Reports

The conflict between the United States and Iran is sharpening differences of opinion within NATO, as many European allies are not ready to support the alliance’s potential military involvement on the side of the US. This was conveyed by a European source from diplomatic expert circles to RIA Novosti on Thursday. “The US-Iran conflict is dividing NATO, because many European members of the alliance refuse to get involved either in a confrontation with Iran or to directly support US military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, preferring a diplomatic approach,” the source said. “For a number of European NATO members, especially the UK, Poland, and the Baltic states, the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains a more important and higher priority,” the source continued. Meanwhile, a number of issues regarding Iran and shipping activities in the Strait of Hormuz were also among the main topics discussed at the NATO summit in Turkiye. On Wednesday, US forces launched a series of devastating strikes against Iran. In response, the Iranian military reported launching retaliatory strikes against US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, while Iranian authorities accused Washington of violating a memorandum on the cessation of hostilities.