As President Trump touched down in the Netherlands for the NATO summit, he was keen to highlight his weekend airstrikes targeting Iran. His eagerness to secure a lasting peace accord with Iran was palpable; however, the atmosphere shifted dramatically with the news of an internal Pentagon intel report that downplayed the attack's impact. The report posited that the military action limited Iran’s nuclear capabilities by only a few months, a revelation that could potentially diminish Trump's narrative of a decisive victory.

Despite the discouraging intelligence, Trump received praise from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who lauded the strikes as "decisive action" that enhances regional safety, further feeding Trump’s desire for validation on the international stage. Rutte’s note of commendation looked to bolster Trump’s image just as the alliance prepares for a new commitment to defense spending over the coming decade, framing the summit as a backdrop for Trump's self-proclaimed successes in global security.