"NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte dodged questions on US President Donald Trump's remarks over the organisation's lack of support in the Middle East conflict during a press conference in Oslo on Wednesday. "Donald Trump has voiced strong frustration over NATO allies' reluctance to take part in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and has once again hinted that the United States could consider withdrawing from the alliance. How do you respond to that, and does this prompt you to reconsider NATO's role and involvement in the Middle East?" a journalist asked. "When it comes to Iran and the risk of Iran getting its hands on a nuclear capability or a ballistic missile capability, we have consistently said as NATO, collectively, that that cannot happen. So it is really crucial that the capability of the ballistic missiles, of the nuclear capability, is severely degraded when it comes to the Strait of Hormuz," Rutte said in response. The Secretary General added that he has been in contact with many allies, claiming that there was a collective agreement to reopen the Strait. "What I know is that allies are working together, discussing how to do that. What is the best way to do it. They are working on that collectively to find a way forward," he continued. This follows joint military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28. Tehran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US military assets across the region, with explosions reported in several Gulf states. The fighting has also disrupted shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, which has pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel and added pressure to global markets."