Rubio to tell NATO ministers Trump is 'very disappointed' by their stance on Iran war

(Patria) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with NATO allies for the first time since President Donald Trump questioned the alliance over divisions regarding the war in Iran, and Washington announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Europe, Reuters reported.

Before leaving for the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Sweden, Rubio said Trump is "very disappointed" with alliance members that have not allowed the U.S. to use bases on their territory for war, specifically singling out Spain.

"You have countries like Spain that deny us the use of these bases.Pa Why are you in NATO then? That is a very fair question," Rubio told reporters in Miami. "Frankly, other countries in NATO have been very helpful. But we need to discuss this."

Trump has fiercely criticized NATO members for not doing more to help the U.S.-Israeli military campaign. He said he is considering withdrawing from the alliance and questioned whether Washington is obligated to honor its mutual defense pact.

NATO officials have emphasized that the U.S. has not asked the alliance to participate in a war against Iran, but that many members have fulfilled their obligations to allow U.S. forces to use their airspace and bases on their territory.

European concerns about Trump's stance on NATO have also been exacerbated this year by Trump's attempt to acquire Greenland, a territory of Denmark, a NATO member.

Europeans say they are ready to help with the Strait of Hormuz

At the meeting in Helsingborg, European ministers are expected to try to appease the U.S. by emphasizing that they are ready to help with freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz when conditions permit and to take greater responsibility for European security. Iran has restricted traffic in the strait.

European fears about the U.S. president's commitment to NATO have been amplified by the decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Europe, which U.S. officials have linked to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's criticism of Trump's war strategy against Iran.

Washington's allies have also been confused and disturbed by the way the decision was announced. U.S. officials initially said troops would be withdrawn from Germany, but later said they would postpone the deployment of a brigade to Poland.

The United States has also announced that the planned deployment of Tomahawk long-range missiles to Germany will no longer proceed. In addition, they plan to tell NATO allies that they will reduce the scope of military capabilities that the U.S. makes available to the alliance in case of crisis, three sources familiar with the situation told Reuters.

NATO Supreme Commander, U.S. Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, tried to reassure European allies this week about recent decisions, saying that further troop reductions would span years to give allies time to develop capabilities to replace them.

"As the European pillar of the alliance strengthens, it allows the U.S. to reduce its presence in Europe and limit itself to providing only those critical capabilities that allies cannot yet provide," he told reporters at NATO headquarters on Tuesday.