NATO leaders are expected to declare at next week’s Ankara summit that Iran must never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons, according to a draft summit text reviewed by Reuters.
The declaration will also urge Tehran to fully respect freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy shipments.
NATO leaders are due to meet in the Turkish capital next Tuesday and Wednesday, as European allies seek to contain differences with U.S. President Donald Trump over Iran, Greenland and the future of transatlantic security ties.
European governments are also expected to use the summit to show they are taking greater responsibility for the continent’s defence as Washington scales back parts of its commitment to the alliance.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the Ankara summit would demonstrate that European members are meeting pledges to increase defence spending in order to deter any potential Russian attack. He said arms deals worth tens of billions of dollars are expected to be signed.
The leaders are also expected to renew commitments to continue funding weapons supplies for Ukraine as Kyiv continues to resist Russia’s invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend a dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Trump.
European officials say they hope Trump’s strong personal ties with both Erdogan and Rutte will help ensure the summit proceeds smoothly. However, they have not ruled out tensions, given ongoing transatlantic disagreements over the war with Iran and Trump’s repeated criticism of NATO.