The relationship between the United States and its NATO allies is deteriorating as the US-‘Israel’ war on Iran enters its second month, with a growing number of European governments refusing to support Washington’s military push.
President Donald Trump has stepped up demands for allied participation, from deploying naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz to granting access to military bases across Europe. But responses from key partners have been cautious or openly resistant, exposing widening cracks within the transatlantic alliance.
“I always knew they were a paper tiger,” Trump said in an interview with The Telegraph, adding that he is seriously considering withdrawing from NATO.
The frustration has also been echoed by US officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned the value of the alliance if support was not reciprocal. “If it’s just about defending Europe… that’s not a very good arrangement,” Rubio said, adding that the relationship would have to be “re-examined.”
Allies restrict military cooperation
Several European countries have moved to limit US military operations linked to the conflict.
In Spain, Defence Minister Margarita Robles said the country’s airspace would not be available to US aircraft involved in the war. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has described the conflict as “unjustifiable” and “dangerous,” and Madrid has also barred the use of jointly operated bases for offensive operations.
In Italy, reports indicated that the government denied US bombers access to a base in Sicily, though officials stressed that requests would be reviewed individually.
The United Kingdom has allowed limited use of its bases but only for “defensive missions.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated: “This is not our war. We will not be drawn into the conflict.”
Meanwhile, France refused to allow US flights carrying military supplies to pass through its airspace, prompting Trump to call the move “VERY UNHELPFUL.”
In Poland, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said there were “no plans” to redeploy the Patriot air defense systems to the Middle East, emphasizing that national security priorities lay elsewhere.
Disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz
The divide has been especially clear over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of global oil and gas supplies pass.
Trump has repeatedly urged allies to help “reopen” the waterway. However, countries including Italy, the UK, France, and Greece have declined to join a US-led naval coalition.
Iran has earlier stated that the Hormuz Strait is open, except for the US.
Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius summed up the position of many European governments: “This is not our war. We have not started it.”
Trump has reacted sharply, accusing allies of lacking courage and urging them to take a more aggressive stance. “Build up some delayed courage… go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,” he wrote on social media.
Growing tensions within NATO
Samir Puri, a war studies expert at King’s College London, said Trump’s rhetoric risks fueling broader divisions within the alliance. “The bond of NATO weakens further,” he said, pointing to mounting frustration among both US officials and European governments.
The dispute comes as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to impact the global economy. Shipping slowdowns have driven up oil and gas prices, with some countries facing shortages and long-term supply chain disruptions.
While some European states have discussed future coordination to reopen the waterway after the conflict, most remain unwilling to participate directly in military operations.
