Experts from Finland, including senior researcher Iro Särkkä from the Finnish Institute of International Affairs and security policy expert Henri Vanhanen, have stated that NATO will not be a party to the Middle Eastern war unless there is a direct attack by Iran on the territory of a NATO member country. They emphasize that an attack on a British base in Cyprus, for instance, would not trigger Article 5 of the NATO treaty, as this base is not considered NATO territory. Therefore, NATO's intervention is not automatic, and the alliance would need substantial legal and political grounds to engage militarily.

According to Vanhanen, Finland, being a member of the military alliance, would not participate in a conflict without proper international legal backing and a political decision. This is crucial as Finland navigates its role within NATO amid concerns about escalating tensions in the Middle East affecting Europe. The discussion highlights the importance of sovereignty and jurisdiction in international conflicts, especially how member states are perceived in their obligations and responsibilities within NATO.

The article also hints at the ongoing pressures and threats in regions like the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that any military action from Iran could potentially set a precedent for NATO's involvement. However, both experts firmly state that NATO's objective is not to engage in conflicts outside its primary focus, especially if those conflicts do not directly threaten its member states.