US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that President Donald Trump is disappointed with NATO allies for refusing to become more actively involved in military operations against Iran. This rift is expected to dominate the upcoming NATO summit in July, which Rubio described as potentially one of the most significant in the alliance's 77-year history.
Rubio Highlights Disappointment Ahead of Summit
Speaking to journalists during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden, Rubio emphasized that the president's views on the lack of support from some allies are well documented. "The president’s views – frankly, disappointment – at some of our NATO allies and their response to our operations in the Middle East, they are well documented," Rubio said. He added that the issue would not be resolved at the ministerial level but would require discussion among leaders at the July meeting in Ankara.
Rubio also raised fresh US demands for assistance in forcing open the Strait of Hormuz if peace talks with Iran fail to progress. After the meeting, he discussed the possibility of NATO countries contributing militarily to a contingency plan. "We have to have a plan B for if someone is shooting, then how do you reopen the straits?" Rubio said. "I don’t know if that would be a NATO mission necessarily, but it would certainly be NATO countries that can contribute to it."
UK and France Offer to Lead Maritime Force
The UK and France have offered to lead a multinational air and naval force to maintain security for merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once a peace deal is reached or a ceasefire is established. This comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, which have disrupted global shipping routes.
US Troop Levels in Europe to Be Adjusted
Rubio confirmed that US troop numbers in Europe are expected to decrease from 80,000 following a review of global commitments, though the exact scale of the reduction remains unclear. "I think it’s well understood in the alliance that the United States’ troop presence in Europe is going to be adjusted," Rubio said. He stressed that the US has obligations in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and the Western Hemisphere, which require a reallocation of forces.
Earlier this month, the US announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany, a decision linked to Trump's reaction to comments from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who suggested Iran was humiliating the US in peace talks. Last week, the Pentagon halted the rotation of 4,000 troops into Poland, but Trump later reversed that decision on social media, announcing an additional 5,000 troops would be sent to Poland. The abrupt change appeared to catch the Pentagon by surprise.
Allies Struggle with Erratic US Policy
Other NATO allies have admitted difficulty keeping up with rapid policy changes from the White House. Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard described the situation as "confusing indeed, and not always easy to navigate."
Rubio, who has long been an advocate for NATO, noted that US bases in the region provide logistical options that would otherwise be unavailable. However, he cautioned that if some bases are denied during a conflict, the value of those arrangements comes into question. This topic, he said, will be discussed at the Ankara summit.
Limited Support from Allies During Iran Attack
No other NATO member joined the 38-day US attack on Iran, and few have shown willingness to force open the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by an Iranian blockade. Spain refused to allow US bases or airspace to be used for the attack, while France permitted only air tankers and support aircraft from Istres air base. The UK allowed US bombers to target Iranian missile launchers from Fairford in Gloucestershire, representing the most extensive European support for the bombing campaign.
Earlier this year, Trump also demanded Greenland from Denmark, another NATO member, but later dropped the proposal after international lobbying and an agreement to create an Arctic air patrol mission to deter Russian military activity.
