Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker stated on Wednesday that President Donald Trump made the right decision by agreeing to a ceasefire with Iran, which has two weeks to “implement this in a reasonable way.”
In his remarks, Volker described Trump’s approach as avoiding further escalation while applying pressure on Tehran to fulfill its commitments. “Let’s all be grateful that President Trump did not try to eliminate a civilization,” Volker said. “I think he made the right call. We don’t need to go down that road. We need to find a solution.”
Volker highlighted Iran’s reported agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as a critical early test of the ceasefire’s credibility. The shipping lane, which is vital for global energy markets and supply chains, was described by Volker as having significant economic implications: “That’s important for the global economy, for gasoline, for shipping and so forth.”
“We have two weeks,” he added. “Let’s see if they actually implement this in a reasonable way.”
The ceasefire follows recent heightened tensions and military actions involving the United States and Israel aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional activities. Trump has characterized the agreement as a major step toward restoring stability while maintaining U.S. strength.
Volker acknowledged concerns about Iran’s internal behavior, including its history of cracking down on protesters, but emphasized that the administration remains focused on core national security priorities rather than pursuing regime change. “President Trump never set out to go about regime change here,” Volker said. “I personally believe that that is where we’ll end up” if Iran fails to comply, particularly if it attempts to disrupt shipping or hold the international community “hostage.”
He also expressed moral concerns regarding Iran’s treatment of its own people: “Killing the protesters is terrible. It’s something that we should be deeply concerned about.”
“But I think a lot of Americans will be asking themselves,” Volker continued, “is it really worth it for us to set the goal of toppling that regime for the protesters’ sake?”
Additionally, Volker noted Trump’s Wednesday meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte as an opportunity to reinforce Western unity and build on the ceasefire’s momentum. “I would like to see our allies step up and help more,” he said, suggesting a coordinated U.S.-European approach could strengthen enforcement and ensure long-term success.
Volker concluded by stating that NATO remains a cornerstone of deterrence, adding that a united alliance sends a clear message to adversaries.
