Overview
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the White House is “very upset” with NATO members for failing to provide broader operational support for U.S. actions against Iran and used the phrase “going into hiding” to describe allied reluctance.
- The State Department confirmed Rubio spoke with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and to press for greater European burden sharing.
- NATO officials say the United States did not ask the 32-member alliance to join combat operations while many members have allowed limited U.S. use of airspace and bases but have denied requests for broader basing or offensive use.
- Spain and Italy have refused certain basing requests and the UK has restricted use of its bases to defensive strikes on missile sites, a stance that has prompted sharp public criticism from President Trump and raised talk of reviewing alliance commitments.
- Disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has driven urgency in talks and pushed European ministers at the Helsingborg meeting to offer conditional help for maritime security as they balance legal limits, public opinion, and energy risks for Europe.