Impact of Iran-US Tensions on NATO; Lt. Gen. Karakuş’s Analysis Ahead of Ankara Summit

Ankara Summit; A Test for NATO Solidarity Amid Crisis

As the Turkish capital prepares to host the 36th NATO Summit on July 7 and 8, 2026, the heavy shadow of recent conflicts between the United States and Iran looms over the alliance. Retired Air Force Lieutenant General Erdoğan Karakuş, in an exclusive interview with TurkInform, emphasized that this summit is not merely a ceremonial gathering, but a "strategy-setting meeting" to rebuild NATO's internal unity, which has been severely damaged in recent months [1].

Ankara will host the leaders of 32 member states and hundreds of senior diplomats for the second time since 2004. Meanwhile, security measures in the Turkish capital have reached their highest level, and the world waits to see how NATO will cope with the aftermath of the military operation known as "Epic Fury," which was launched against Iran earlier this year [1][4].

Operation Epic Fury and the Rift Among Allies

One of the main pillars of Lt. Gen. Karakuş's analysis is US President Donald Trump's sharp criticism of European allies during the conflict with Iran. In his recent meetings, Trump blamed European countries for failing to provide direct support in reopening the Strait of Hormuz and even called NATO a "paper tiger" [2]. However, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in an attempt to calm the atmosphere, revealed that European allies conducted more than 4,000 sorties from their bases to support US operations [2].

Karakuş believes that the United States officially requested assistance from NATO during the war with Iran, but the varying responses from members have created a crisis of trust. He notes that while countries like the United Kingdom and France provided logistical cooperation, other members showed hesitation in providing military facilities for fear of the war expanding [1][2].

Turkey's Mediatory Role and the 60-Day Agreement

On the eve of the Ankara Summit, Turkish diplomacy led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is attempting to use the current deadlock as a strategic opportunity. Currently, a 60-day memorandum is in place between Washington and Tehran to halt hostilities and conduct technical negotiations in Qatar [3]. Lt. Gen. Karakuş noted that Turkey, utilizing its position, is trying to make mediation between Iran and the US one of the main achievements of the NATO summit [4].

Reports indicate that Iran has exported more than 40 million barrels of oil since the lifting of the blockade on its ports, but negotiations in Doha remain difficult over issues such as nuclear inspections and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz [3][5].

NATO at a Strategic Crossroads; Karakuş’s View of the Future

Lt. Gen. Karakuş concluded his analysis by warning that if NATO fails to reach a unified definition of threats in the Middle East at the Ankara Summit, the organization's influence in the region will drastically decline. He emphasized that NATO must strike a balance between focusing on the Eastern Flank (Russia) and managing Southern crises (Iran and the Middle East) [1].

This summit takes place as Turkish public opinion has also become highly sensitive to the presence of US bases and the conflict with Iran. Karakuş believes that the success of the Ankara Summit depends on the leaders' ability to convince Trump to remain within the alliance's frameworks while simultaneously ensuring regional security without entering a new full-scale war [1][3].