Trump Orders Airstrikes on Iran During 2-Day NATO Summit in Ankara
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 9
Trump Orders Airstrikes on Iran During 2-Day NATO Summit in Ankara
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 9
Summary
Donald Trump launched new airstrikes against Iran during NATO’s two-day summit in Ankara, injecting a Middle East military escalation into a meeting meant to showcase alliance unity.
The strikes came as Trump dominated the summit with complaints, grievances and insults aimed at NATO allies, the alliance itself, Spain and Iran.
NATO leaders still used the meeting to press ahead with higher military spending, deeper trans-Atlantic defense-industrial cooperation and continued backing for Ukraine.
That split outcome underscored a broader shift inside NATO toward a model Trump favors: Europe taking primary responsibility for conventional defense while Washington focuses more on China.
U.S. intelligence says Iran's military is still strong. Why were officials claiming it was essentially destroyed?
With Iran's longtime Supreme Leader gone, how will new leadership navigate this escalating military conflict with the U.S.?
The Strait of Hormuz is closed. How can global oil supply be secured without igniting a much wider war?
The 2026 Iran War: Ceasefire Collapse, Strait of Hormuz Crisis, and Global Fallout
Overview
The interim ceasefire between the United States and Iran, established in April 2026, grew increasingly fragile and ultimately collapsed on July 8 or 9, 2026, after President Trump declared the agreement 'over' and dismissed further diplomacy as a 'waste of time.' This official end to the ceasefire immediately reignited intense hostilities in the region. The sharp escalation was triggered by Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz on July 7, which caused minor damage and prompted swift U.S. military strikes. These events marked a decisive return to conflict and set the stage for broader regional and global repercussions.