NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke to the press following a meeting of the North Atlantic Council on Monday.

Stoltenberg, who chaired the meeting of the North Atlantic Council, stated that they had addressed current tensions in the Middle East, and implications for NATO’s training mission in Iraq.

“NATO and all NATO Allies take part in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. And NATO’s mission in Iraq is an important contribution to the Coalition’s effort,” he said.

Stoltenberg remarked that they were, at the invitation of the Iraqi government, helping to train forces and prevent the return of ISIS, and continued; “At our meeting today, Allies expressed their strong support for the fight against ISIS and for the NATO mission in Iraq. In everything that we do, the safety of our personnel is paramount. As such, we have for the time being suspended our training on the ground. And we are taking all precautions necessary to protect our people.”

NATO Secretary General noted that they were keeping the situation under close review and remained in close contact with the Iraqi authorities.

“NATO is prepared to continue our training and capacity-building when the situation permits.We remain strongly committed to the fight against international terrorism.”

Secretary General said that at their meeting today, the United States also briefed on the regional situation, following recent attacks on coalition forces in Iraq, and the strike against General Soleimani.

“For years, all Allies have expressed concern about Iran’s destabilising activities in the wider Middle East region. We agree Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. We share concern about Iran’s missile tests. And we are united in condemning Iran’s support for a variety of different terrorist groups,” he stressed.

Stoltenberg recalled that they had recently seen an escalation by Iran, including the strike on a Saudi energy facility, and the shoot-down of an American drone.

“At our meeting today, Allies called for restraint and de-escalation. A new conflict would be in no-one’s interest. So Iran must refrain from further violence and provocations,” he added.