U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized European NATO allies today for refusing to support the United States in its conflict with Iran, accusing them of benefiting from protection without assuming responsibilities. “President Donald Trump is not asking them to provide troops or send fighter jets, but they refuse to do anything at all,” Rubio denounced to reporters before departing for Sweden, where he is participating in an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers.
“That left us very upset,” commented the head of American diplomacy, arguing that several countries in the Atlantic Alliance share Washington’s stance on Iran but avoid making concrete commitments.
“Many NATO member countries share our conviction that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons and that it represents a threat to the world,” Rubio said. The U.S. Secretary of State argued that it was for this reason that U.S. President Donald Trump decided to “act,” referencing the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran since February 28.
The American initiative generated reservations among several European allies, who criticized the absence of prior consultations with NATO and questioned Washington and Tel Aviv’s arguments regarding an alleged imminent nuclear threat from Tehran.
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Fears of regional escalation and the economic impact of the conflict, namely the rise in international oil prices, aggravated divisions between Washington and some European partners. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez classified the war as illegal and refused to authorize the use of Spanish military bases by American aircraft.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently stated that Iran was “humiliating” the United States in diplomatic negotiations, a comment that reportedly irritated Donald Trump.
Following those statements, the American President announced the withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. military personnel stationed in Germany.
Rubio, a former Republican senator, also sought to justify the growing debate in Washington regarding NATO’s role in American interests, recalling that he has always been “a staunch defender of NATO” throughout his career. “I know why NATO is good for Europe, but why is NATO good for the United States?” Rubio questioned, considering it to be a “perfectly legitimate” question.
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The foreign ministers of NATO members are meeting today and Friday in Helsingborg, in southern Sweden, to discuss support for Ukraine and prepare for the Alliance’s next summit, scheduled for July in Turkey. Portugal is represented at the meeting by Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel.
