Overview
- Rubio, speaking in Rome on Friday, said Spain blocked U.S. use of its bases and airspace for Iran-related missions, which he said slowed operations and added risk.
- He said the United States expects a reply from Iran in the next hours and voiced hope for a serious proposal.
- After a cool meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, he called himself a defender of NATO but warned that limits set by allies undercut rapid planning.
- He said any decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Italy rests with President Donald Trump and noted that no specific changes were discussed during his visit.
- Austria refused U.S. overflight requests on neutrality grounds, highlighting how national rules can close routes that U.S. forces count on for crisis response.