The Trump administration is reportedly mulling over measures to “punish” NATO nations that have not backed the U.S. in its military actions against Iran’s Islamic regime.
Operation Epic Fury may have impacts beyond just the Persian Gulf. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the White House is exploring different ways to reaffirm its commitment to NATO, potentially reallocating troops and resources based on how countries respond to President Trump’s requests for support regarding Iran.
The report, which cites unnamed officials, suggests that nations like Greece, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania could see an increase in U.S. military presence due to their supportive actions over the past month. On the flip side, countries such as Germany and Spain might face reductions in U.S. resources for their reactions to the Iran situation.
Spain, in particular, has been under scrutiny recently, with Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez initially denying U.S. troops access to Spanish bases for operations in Iran and later restricting U.S. Air Force flights through its airspace heading to the Middle East.
This tension has been compounded by already strained relations, as Spain’s left-wing government last year became the only NATO ally in Europe to reject Trump’s call to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. Historically, Spain has been noted for spending less than the 2% of GDP on defense, which some consider delinquent.
Germany has permitted base access for operations related to Iran, but top officials, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have voiced strong criticism of the war. Merz specifically mentioned that there has been a “massive escalation with clear consequences,” stating “This is not our war.” Additionally, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier described the U.S. action as a “disastrous mistake,” arguing it violates international law.
Trump has also pointed fingers at other key allies like the United Kingdom, which he referred to as America’s “once great ally.” This criticism came after British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer initially denied access to British bases, later permitting only “defensive” operations from mainland Britain.
Similarly, France and Italy have been accused of restricting access to their airspace, and both countries have opted not to join the United Nations mission monitoring the Strait of Hormuz until the situation stabilizes.
Trump has expressed his discontent with NATO, stating on Truth Social, “NATO wasn’t there when we needed it, and it won’t be here when we need it again.” He even brought up Greenland, mentioning, “Remember Greenland, that big, poorly run block of ice?”
The issue surrounding Greenland has often been referenced by European analysts as a reason for leaders to distance themselves from the U.S. However, Trump’s supporters argue that NATO allies denying access to bases shows the need for the U.S. to secure land rather than depending on Denmark if tensions with Russia or China arise.
Though Trump has long been critical of NATO, he has, until recently, been somewhat alone in his views within the Republican Party. Recently, some higher-ups, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and ex-White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, have started to question America’s role in NATO.
As tensions escalate across the Atlantic, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, an outspoken supporter of Trump in Europe, visited the White House, seemingly to repair relations with the continent. Rutte indicated to CNN that he understands Trump’s frustration with NATO allies but emphasized that “the vast majority of European countries helped” during the conflict.
