The Secretary of State said the US must ‘reexamine’ the alliance after the Iran conflict concludes.
By Catholics for Catholics
The tensions between the Trump administration and its European allies are leading America to reconsider its function in NATO, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
After countries like Spain and France refused to permit American military forces to use their bases in those countries for air space during Operation Epic Fury, Rubio warned Tuesday that the U.S. may have to “reexamine” its role in NATO, according to a story by Fox News.
“If now we have reached a point where the NATO alliance means that we can’t use those bases, that, in fact, that we can no longer use those bases to defend America’s interests, then NATO is a one-way street. Then NATO is simply about us having troops in Europe to defend Europe,” Rubio said on “Hannity.”
Rubio went on, “But… when we need them to allow us to use their military bases, their answer is no? Then why are we in NATO? You have to ask that question.”
Marco Rubio said the United States may need to reassess its participation in NATO if allied countries restrict U.S. access to military bases and overflight rights. He argued that the alliance should serve mutual interests, warning that if it primarily benefits European nations… pic.twitter.com/DrNdTC4zxi
— NewYork-Insight (@NewYork_Insight) April 1, 2026
For instance, Spain closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in the Iran war, while President Trump has bashed France because the country “wouldn’t let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory,” adding in a Truth Social post that the longtime ally has been “VERY UNHELPFUL.”
There is “no doubt” that the U.S. must “reexamine” its rapport with the treaty once the Iran conflict is over, Rubio said. However, he gave way to President Donald Trump’s final decision-making authority on the matter.
“We’re going to finish the job here [in Iran],” Rubio said.
“We’re very, very close to achieving our objectives on all of these things that I’ve outlined,” Rubio said. “But I do think, unfortunately, we are going to have to reexamine whether or not this alliance that has served this country well for a while, [whether it’s] still serving that purpose, or has it now become a one-way street where America is simply in a position to defend Europe? But when we need the help of our allies, they’re going to deny us basing rights, and they’re going to deny us overflight.”
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