Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated late Tuesday that the United States may reexamine its relationship with NATO once the ongoing conflict with Iran concludes, echoing criticism from President Donald Trump toward European allies who have been hesitant to fully support U.S. military efforts in the Middle East.
“Ultimately, that’s a decision for the President to make, and he’ll have to make it,” Rubio told host Sean Hannity during an appearance on Fox News. He added that the U.S. could face a moment of reckoning with the alliance.
“But I do think, unfortunately, we are going to have to re-examine whether or not this Alliance that has served this country well for a while is still serving that purpose, or is it now become a one-way street where America is simply in a position to defend Europe, but when we need the help of our Allies, they’re going to deny us basing rights and they’re going to deny us overflight,” Rubio said.
The comments come amid growing tension between the U.S. and several NATO members over their reluctance to deploy military assets into the conflict, particularly regarding the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route. While countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands have expressed a “readiness to contribute” to keeping the passage open, many have resisted sending warships or taking part in broader military operations.
In addition to hesitations over naval support, some European nations have denied U.S. forces access to key bases or restricted airspace. Italy and Spain, for example, have blocked the use of their bases for aircraft involved in “Operation Epic Fury,” while Spain and France have imposed airspace restrictions.
Trump has publicly expressed frustration with what he perceives as NATO’s lack of reciprocity. In an interview with The Telegraph published Wednesday, he labeled the alliance a “paper tiger” and suggested that European nations might have to fend for themselves.
“Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration. I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin knows that too, by the way,” Trump told the British newspaper when asked whether he would reconsider U.S. membership in the alliance following the conflict.
In response, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended NATO, describing it as “the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen.”
Trump further warned European nations that their reliance on U.S. support might soon be tested. In a Truth Social post Tuesday, he wrote, “You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us,” referring specifically to countries “which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran.” He added later, “Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
The president is scheduled to give a primetime address Wednesday evening, providing an update on the ongoing conflict with Iran. Rubio, speaking earlier on Hannity, suggested that U.S. objectives in the operation were nearly complete.
“I don’t want to put a timeline on it, but we can see the finish line, the finish line meaning we will have achieved all of the objectives that the President outlined,” Rubio said. He emphasized that the successful completion of these objectives would limit Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons in the near future, describing the outcomes as “important” for U.S. national security.
The statements by Rubio and Trump mark a notable escalation in rhetoric regarding NATO’s role and European cooperation during the crisis, raising questions about the future dynamics of transatlantic alliances in the post-conflict period. Analysts note that how the U.S. and NATO navigate these tensions could have lasting implications for global security, particularly as the Middle East continues to be a flashpoint for energy and military concerns.
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