BRUSSELS, Belgium, March 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - NATO chief Mark Rutte said Tuesday there was broad backing among US European allies for President Donald Trump's military campaign against Iran.

Washington's bombardment of Iran -- which saw supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed -- has unleashed airstrikes across the Middle East.

"I feel widespread support in Europe. I was on the phone with many leaders over the weekend and also early this week," Rutte told journalists on a visit to North Macedonia.

"I clearly sensed that taking out the nuclear capability, taking out the ballistic missile capability, and also Khamenei gone, this is applauded by many of my colleagues in NATO."

Rutte underlined that the NATO military alliance -- founded to protect Europe and North America -- was "not involved" in the military operations.

"But I can assure you that NATO will defend every inch of NATO territory," he said.