Trump says he ‘tested’ NATO allies over Iran support ahead of Ankara summit

US President Donald Trump says he was "testing" NATO partners when he asked for their support during the war on Iran. Speaking ahead of the alliance's annual summit in Ankara, Trump criticised member states for not spending enough on defence and for not supporting the joint US-Israeli war on Iran. He said: "In a way I was testing people. I was testing to see whether or not they'd be there," adding that Italy, Germany and France turned the US down. He questioned why Washington spends "hundreds of billions of dollars" while allies were "not there" for the United States. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the summit and Trump's presence, saying it would add "greater strength and significance" to the meeting. During the joint appearance, Trump was also asked about the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkiye, saying a decision would be made.

Al Jazeera's Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from Ankara, said Trump's remarks are likely to cast a shadow over the summit, as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte seeks to reassure Washington by highlighting more than $260bn in increased defence spending by allies. He said the proposed F-35 sale remains significant but contentious, facing concerns in Congress, Israel and the Pentagon over Turkiye's past defence ties with Russia and the risk of advanced technology being compromised, even as Trump signalled growing confidence in his relationship with President Erdogan.

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