The U.S Secretary Marco Rubio has said that America may reconsider its relationship with NATO after the ongoing conflict with Iran concludes.
Speaking on Fox News, Rubio stated that they would need to reassess the alliance’s value to the country following the war.
“I think there’s no doubt, unfortunately, after this conflict is concluded, we are going to have to reexamine that relationship. We’re going to have to reexamine the value of NATO in that alliance for our country,” said Marco Rubio.
Marco Rubio added that any final decision would ultimately be made by President Donald Trump.
He highlighted that he has long been one of NATO’s strongest defenders in the US Senate but argued that the alliance has reached a point where the US can no longer rely on NATO allies’ bases to defend its interests, calling it a “one-way street.”
Marco Rubio further clarified that Washington is not asking NATO allies to participate in airstrikes against Iran, but simply to allow the use of their bases for US operations.
NATO Nations Conflict With the US
Marco Rubio’s remarks follow the Pentagon Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decline to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to NATO’s collective defense.
Also Read: NATO Forced to Act Quickly as Iran Targets Turkey With Ballistic Missile
During a briefing on Tuesday, March 31, Pete stated that it would be up to Trump to help his country amid the ongoing war after some European countries refused to stand with the US in the war against Iran.
“You don’t have much of an alliance if you have countries that are not willing to stand with you when you need them. (Trump is) simply pointing that out, and ultimately, it’ll be his decision of what that looks like,” Hegseth said.
Pete also stated that the United States’ commitment to NATO’s collective defense means the decision ultimately rests with the President, as recent events have exposed underlying tensions within the alliance.
These remarks ran counter to NATO’s collective defense, with Article 5 stating that an attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on all members, obligating them to respond.
Italy Blocks US Military Flights from Sicilian Base Amid Iran Conflict
As tensions between the US and NATO allies grow, some countries have blocked access to their bases.
Earlier, Italy denied the United States (US) permission to use its Sigonella air base in Sicily for military flights, as the flight plan was submitted only after departure, without prior approval.
According to reports, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated that Air Force General Staff had been notified of the flight plan of several US aircraft, which called for landing at Sigonella before continuing the mission.
He argued that the missions were outside the scope of standard logistical or routine operations and of bilateral agreements.
In addition, Guido Crosetto noted that such missions require separate authorization and possible parliamentary oversight before they can proceed.
He further highlighted that the flight plan had been submitted without authorization or consultation with the Italian military leadership, and while the planes were already in flight.
