The administration of Donald Trump is weighing potential changes to its relationship with NATO following a recent military operation involving Iran, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal. The report said officials are considering options that could include adjusting troop deployments and reallocating resources among allied countries, based in part on their level of support during the operation.
The discussions come as part of a broader review of U.S. commitments within the North American Treaty Organization and could have implications beyond the immediate region involved in the conflict, the WSJ reported.
The report, citing unnamed administration officials, said countries including Greece, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania could see an expanded U.S. military presence due to their support during the recent conflict. By contrast, nations such as Germany and Spain were identified as potentially facing reductions in U.S. troop levels or resources, based on their responses to the situation.
Spain, led by socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has drawn particular attention. According to the report, Spanish authorities initially declined to allow U.S. forces to use bases in the country for operations and later restricted certain military flights through its airspace.
The developments come amid broader tensions between Spain and the Trump administration, including longstanding disagreements over defense spending targets within NATO. Spain has consistently failed to allot even the basic 2 percent of its GDP to its military, per the alliance’s agreement.
Germany has permitted the use of its bases for operations related to the Iran conflict, but senior officials have publicly criticized the U.S. approach.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the situation as a “massive escalation with an open outcome,” and said the conflict was “not our war.” German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also criticized the operation, calling it a “disastrous mistake” and raising concerns about potential violations of international law, the WSJ reported.
Other U.S. allies have also faced criticism from Trump, including the United Kingdom, which he referred to as a “once great ally.”
The remarks followed decisions by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose government initially declined to allow the use of British bases for offensive operations and later permitted only limited “defensive” activities to be conducted from U.K. territory.
Additionally, France and Italy have been accused of denying U.S. access to their airspace and declining to participate in an international coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz while the conflict continues.
Expressing frustration with NATO in general, Trump posted comments on Truth Social on Wednesday criticizing the response of some NATO partners: “NATO wasn’t there when we needed them, and they won’t be there if we need them again. Remember Greenland, that big, poorly run, piece of ice.”
The dispute over Greenland has been cited by some European analysts as a factor in strained relations between the United States and its allies. At the same time, supporters of Donald Trump have argued that recent disagreements over access to military bases underscore concerns about relying on allies for strategic positioning, Breitbart News noted.
Trump has long been critical of NATO, a stance that has historically set him apart within parts of the Republican Party. However, in recent weeks, other prominent figures have also raised questions about the alliance’s role, including his former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer.
Amid heightened tensions between the United States and its European allies, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited the White House in what officials described as an effort to ease strains within the alliance.
In an interview with CNN, Rutte said he understood why Trump had expressed frustration with some NATO members, while emphasizing that the majority of European countries had provided support during the conflict.