US–NATO Strains Grow as Rubio Raises Doubts Over Alliance Role

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Washington DC: US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio has cautioned that the United States could reassess its ties with NATO in light of frustrations during the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

In a Tuesday interview with Fox News, Rubio stated that Washington would “reexamine the value” of the alliance once the conflict ends, noting that the ultimate decision would be made by the US president.

He criticized NATO allies for declining to grant the US access to military bases during the conflict. According to Rubio, the US was not seeking direct military involvement from its partners but only permission to use existing facilities.

“We’re not asking them to carry out airstrikes. When we need access to their bases, they say no. So why are we in NATO?” he asked.

Although he described himself as a long-time supporter of NATO, Rubio warned the alliance could become “a one-way street,” questioning the benefit of maintaining US troops in Europe if access is denied during critical moments.

His remarks come amid increasing tensions between Washington and several European allies over the Iran situation. Countries such as Italy and Spain have reportedly refused certain US requests regarding base access and airspace use. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany have limited their roles to defensive support while urging de-escalation.

Experts suggest the disagreement reflects deeper divisions within NATO, including concerns over the legality of the conflict and the absence of formal consultation prior to US actions—raising broader questions about the alliance’s unity and future direction.