By Alyssa Lukpat

NATO countries are "coming together" to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, with the U.K. leading a multinational effort, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Sunday.

"It is only logical that European countries needed a couple of weeks to come together," Rutte said on CBS News's "Face the Nation." The group of 22 countries includes mostly NATO members in addition to Australia, Bahrain, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, Rutte said.

Ships have largely stopped crossing the strait over concerns about Iranian fire, putting pressure on oil prices and the global economy. Rutte praised Trump's war effort after the president pressured NATO to help secure the waterway.

"I understand the president's frustration that it takes some time, but, again, I also ask for some understanding, because nations had to prepare for this not knowing, and for good reasons, about the initial attack on Iran," he said.

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March 22, 2026 14:14 ET (18:14 GMT)

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