ISTANBUL 

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Sunday said that he is “absolutely convinced” that the alliance will be able to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to Fox News, Rutte responded to the strong criticism President Donald Trump has levied at NATO.

The NATO secretary general said that the secret nature of the military operation required NATO countries to take time to calibrate their response.

"European allies and partners all over the world have used the last couple of weeks to make sure that we come together. They start planning to see what we can do collectively as allies, as partners of the United States," he said.

He also described the US operation as "crucial," citing what he called the "existential threat" posed by Iran.