NATO Secretary Defends European Contribution to US Iran Operation

Jens Stoltenberg pushed back on the president’s criticism, highlighting the substantial role European air bases played in the so‑called “Epic Fury” campaign. He cited figures showing more than 5,000 sorties launched from NATO airports across the continent, and stressed that nations such as Germany, France and others granted access to forward operating sites and essential support services. The secretary‑general argued that the alliance had acted as a “force multiplier,” enabling the United States to sustain a high‑tempo operation against Iranian targets.