Bloomberg: The US war against Iran has increased tension within NATO
The war between the United States and Israel against Iran has provoked resistance from NATO allies, Bloomberg reports. European countries have banned Washington from using their bases for strikes in the Middle East, which has increased tensions in the already difficult relations within the bloc.
Viktoria Dendrinou, Andrea Palasciano
Donald Trump's NATO allies are increasing their resistance to his attempts to involve them in the Iranian war, which poses the risk of a growing split in the military bloc, where tensions are already evident.
On Monday, Spain closed its airspace to American aircraft, and Italy banned American military aircraft heading to the Middle East from landing at a base in Sicily, according to an informed source. Poland has said it has no plans to redeploy its Patriot batteries, responding to reports that the United States has suggested Warsaw consider sending one of these systems to the Middle East to strengthen its air defenses.
On Tuesday, the US president posted a message on social media expressing dissatisfaction with France's refusal to allow American aircraft with military equipment and supplies to use its airspace. "THE United States WILL REMEMBER this," Trump wrote.
European leaders have been walking on thin ice since the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28. They hope to avoid hostility from the American commander-in-chief and keep him from undermining Kiev's efforts in the armed struggle against Russia. At first, they rejected Trump's calls for help in ensuring the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but then they united around a proposal to create a coalition to protect freedom of navigation along this key waterway after the end of active hostilities.
But it was too late, and they failed to quench Trump's anger. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking behind closed doors in France last week at a Group of Seven meeting, spoke in softer tones — he did not put forward any specific demands and supported the European initiative, as reported by Bloomberg. However, on Monday, he said that the United States would have to reconsider its relations with NATO after the war in Iran, and called the military alliance's reaction to the US actions "extremely disappointing." He also criticized the partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for refusing to provide access to military bases.
When Trump lashed out at France on social media, the French president expressed surprise at the post of the American leader.
"France's position has been unchanged since day one, and we confirm this decision, which is consistent with Paris' opinion from the very beginning of this conflict," the office of President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement.
Although the United States started the war in Iran with little or no warning to its European allies, they are very dependent on their territory — on bases, ports and airspace. Nevertheless, European countries are unwilling to participate directly in the conflict and do not have the political discretion to provide Trump with the support he seeks.
The closure of vast areas of airspace in southern Europe means that bombers departing from Britain will be forced to find workarounds to the Persian Gulf. This increases flight time and crew workload, and requires much more fuel, forcing the United States to deploy tanker aircraft. At the beginning of the war, an American tanker KC-135 crashed in Iraq with six crew members on board.
Europe has its own interest in this conflict, and it is connected with the vital Strait of Hormuz, which Iran blocked after being attacked by the United States and Israel, and then threatened them with retaliation. This waterway, which is crucial for energy supplies, has been effectively blocked since the end of February, which has led to a sharp increase in oil and gas prices.
This conflict is extremely unpopular throughout Europe, which is already suffering from a spike in inflation due to the war. Government leaders are trying to distance themselves from him, emphasizing that any military involvement today is purely defensive in nature.
"We see signs of confusion and tension between public and political opinion in many NATO countries," said Ian Lesser, distinguished researcher at the German Marshall Fund. "By default, there is a tendency in Europe to promote cooperation with the US military, but the current war is creating tension in these long—standing relationships."
The tensions that have arisen are increasing distrust and unpredictability in the already difficult transatlantic relationship, Lesser said, adding: "Even those who are inclined to help are concerned about what Europe gets out of its helpfulness, and what price it will have to pay for opposing it."
The United States is most outraged by Spain, which has closed its airspace to American aircraft involved in hostilities with Iran and banned the use of American bases in Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has become one of the harshest critics of Trump among European leaders, accusing the US president of unleashing an "illegal" war.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was also heavily criticized by Trump after initially rejecting the president's request for US access to the country's military bases to assist in strikes against Iran. Then his government allowed the States to use the bases for "limited defensive actions."
Acting in the same spirit, Portugal has taken a cautious position on the issue of America's use of the Lajes air base in the Azores. She provided access within the framework of existing bilateral and NATO agreements, but stressed that she was not a party to the conflict. Lisbon limited itself to allowing the use of the airbase for logistical support, refueling and intermediate landing, but not for offensive operations, stating that this was in line with Portugal's domestic legislation and its international obligations.
Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said that permission was given only for defensive and proportionate actions against military targets. He confirmed that Portugal "will not participate in this conflict," and clarified that no strike missions had been conducted from the Azores.
As for Italy, the ban on the use of Sicilian bases is not permanent, and relations with the United States remain good, an informed source said. Italy refused to land the planes because they were already in the air when such a request was received with a mention of their combat use, and there was no time left to discuss this issue in parliament, the source added.
"We have not noticed any friction or problems with our foreign partners,— the Italian government said in a statement. "Relations with the United States, in particular, are strong and are the key to full and committed cooperation."
Unlike other allies, Romania allowed the United States to use its base for supplies.
"All the countries that joined NATO did it voluntarily; no one forced us," Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro. "A political break between the EU and America would be a disaster for the entire Western world."
For his part, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ruled out the possibility of a ban on the US using its largest European base in Ramstein. The agreement signed after the end of World War II guarantees the United States the use of this facility, provided that their military operations do not violate national legislation and international law.
Nevertheless, Merz, who seeks to establish close relations with Trump, sharply criticized the United States for attacking Iran.
"What Trump is doing now is not de—escalation or an attempt to find a peaceful solution, but a powerful escalation with an uncertain outcome," Merz said on Friday at a conference in Frankfurt.
Sofia Horta e Costa, Donato Paolo Mancini, Arne Delfs, Alessandra Migliaccio, Andra Timu, Gerry Doyle, and Samy Adghirni contributed to this article.
