Marco Rubio reveals plan to 'reexamine' NATO membership after US denied European bases for Iran war

WASHINGTON, DC: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday night, March 31, that NATO’s role may need to be looked at again. This followed reports that some European allies did not allow the US to use their military bases or airspace for actions against Iran.

Rubio, who once strongly supported NATO as a senator, suggested the alliance could be “reexamined” after the situation with Iran ends. “If now we have reached a point where the NATO alliance means we can’t use those bases to defend America’s interests, then NATO is a one-way street,” he said.

Rubio also said the US might need to rethink its ties with NATO after the conflict, calling the lack of backing from allies during the Middle East tensions “very disappointing.”

Marco Rubio questions NATO support during Iran conflict

Marco Rubio spoke to Fox News host Sean Hannity, “The president and our country will have to re-examine all of this after this operation is over,” Rubio said. He explained that if NATO only means the United States protects Europe but does not get help in return when needed, it creates an unfair situation. 

“If NATO is just about us defending Europe if they’re attacked, but them denying us basing rights when we need them, that’s not a very good arrangement. That’s a hard one to stay engaged in,” he said.

He also questioned the purpose of the alliance under such conditions. “If NATO is simply about us having troops in Europe to defend Europe, but when we need them to allow us to use their military bases, their answer is no, then why are we in NATO?” Rubio added that the final decision on staying in NATO will be made by Trump.

He further said the situation in the region would be resolved one way or another. “When this operation is over, it will be open, and it’ll be open one way or another,” Rubio said. 

“It will be open because Iran agrees to abide by international law and not block the commercial waterway, or a coalition of nations from around the world and the region, with the participation of the United States, will make sure that it’s open,” he added.

Trump criticizes allies as US signals progress in Iran Conflict

During a recent cabinet meeting, Trump called the war with Tehran a “test” of loyalty and criticized European countries for not stepping up with enough support. He said NATO allies were absent when needed and warned they may not be dependable in a major crisis. He also suggested Europe should take more responsibility for securing key shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz.

“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!” 

He further stated that the US expects Europe to handle more of the burden, while also claiming that Iran has been heavily weakened and that the hardest part of the conflict is already over.