US may reassess NATO alliance after Iran war, Rubio warns

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Washington may reconsider its commitment to NATO following the conclusion of the Iran war, expressing frustration over European allies’ refusal to support American military operations. “After this conflict is concluded, we’re going to have to reexamine that relationship. We’re going to have to reexamine the value of NATO and that alliance for our country,” Rubio told Fox News, adding that the final decision rests with the president.

Rubio questions alliance’s purpose

Rubio, who described himself as a longtime defender of NATO, criticized allies for denying US requests to use military bases during the campaign against Iran. “We’re not asking them to conduct airstrikes. When we need them to allow us to use their military bases, their answer is ‘No.’ Then why are we in NATO?” he said. He warned the alliance was at risk of becoming “a one-way street,” questioning the purpose of stationing American forces in Europe if bases cannot be accessed when needed.

European allies restrict support amid legal concerns

Rubio’s remarks follow a series of refusals from European NATO members regarding the US-led campaign. Italy recently rejected a US request for aircraft to land at a military base in Sicily, while Spain has declined to authorize the use of its bases or airspace for operations tied to the conflict. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany have limited their involvement to defensive support for regional partners and have repeatedly called for de-escalation, citing concerns over the war’s legality and a lack of consultation within the alliance.