‘Why are we in NATO when they won’t help against Iran?’ – Rubio

NATO may no longer serve U.S. interests and Washington’s partnership with the military alliance will be “reexamined” after the Iran war concludes, says Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

By World Israel News Staff

Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned the United States’ role in NATO, arguing the alliance has become a “one-way street” after several European countries declined to support the U.S. war effort against Iran.

Speaking to Fox News, Rubio noted a lack of reciprocity from NATO allies, after countries such as Spain and Italy denied the U.S. permission to use their airspace and local military bases for operations targeting Iran.

“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 said.

“If now we have reached a point where the NATO alliance means we can’t use [European] bases to defend America’s interests, then NATO is a one-way street,” he added.

Rubio noted that as a senator, he was one of the “strongest defenders” of the importance of NATO in Congress.

After the Iran conflict ends, there is “no doubt” that Washington will need to “reexamine” its NATO membership and determine whether it is delivering value to the United States, Rubio said.

During a Cabinet meeting last week, President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO allies for failing to support U.S. military operations against Iran.

“I’m so disappointed in NATO,” Trump said. “This was a test: You can help us — you don’t have to, but … if you don’t do that, we’re going to remember!”

“We spent trillions of dollars protecting Europe, protecting the countries of NATO — they weren’t there for us,” he added.

Trump has previously said NATO countries had done “absolutely nothing” to assist the United States in its military campaign against Iran.