US Might Reevaluate NATO Ties Post-Iran War Due to Lack of Allied Support, Says Marco Rubio

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a stark warning regarding the future of US-NATO relations, suggesting that Washington may "reconsider" its position within the alliance once the current conflict with Iran concludes. The assertion comes amid growing frustration over a perceived lack of military and logistical support from European partners.

Frustration Over Base Access and Allied Inaction

In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Rubio criticized several NATO member states for refusing to grant the US access to military installations during the ongoing Iranian conflict. He echoed earlier sentiments expressed by US President Donald Trump, who recently labeled alliance partners as "cowards" and dismissed NATO as a "paper tiger."

Emphasizing that the defense pact cannot function as a "one-way street," Rubio stated: "If NATO is just about us protecting Europe in case of an attack, but they deny us the right to base troops when we need it, then it's not a very good deal. It's hard to remain a member of the alliance in such a situation. I hope we can fix this."

Spain at the Center of Diplomatic Friction

Spain has emerged as the primary target of Washington's ire. Madrid recently closed its airspace to American aircraft involved in Iranian operations and prohibited the use of US military bases on Spanish soil. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been one of the most vocal European critics of the US administration, accusing President Trump of launching an "illegal" war.

The Strait of Hormuz Crisis

Tensions between Washington and its allies were further exacerbated when NATO members rejected President Trump's appeals to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran blockaded the critical maritime choke point in early March following joint US-Israeli bombing campaigns, a move that triggered a sharp surge in global oil and gas prices.

Despite the lack of allied intervention, Rubio remains steadfast that the strait will be reopened once military operations conclude. He noted this would happen either through Iran's adherence to international law or via the intervention of a US-led international coalition.

This diplomatic rift follows a recent declaration by G7 foreign ministers, who stipulated that any international maritime security mission in the Strait of Hormuz would only be launched on the condition that the broader war in the Middle East is brought to an end.