Europe-US Rift Over Iran War Deepens in Threat to NATO Alliance

The already strained NATO alliance is showing further signs of fraying, as Donald Trump's allies resist getting involved in his war on Iran.

Recent examples include Spain closing its airspace to US jets and Italy denying US military aircraft bound for the Middle East permission to land at a base in Sicily. Poland today said it has no plans to relocate its Patriot batteries, following a report that the US had suggested sending one of its systems to the Middle East.

Europe’s perceived lack of cooperation prompted Trump to lash out on social media, singling out the UK and France. “The U.S.A. will REMEMBER,” Trump wrote in a post directed at France. He also told allies struggling to obtain jet fuel to either buy it from the US or “TAKE IT.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US may have to reassess its relationship with NATO after the war.

The renewed tensions come as Europe is starting to feel the pinch from the month-long war. Euro-zone inflation jumped in March by the most since 2022 as the conflict sent energy prices soaring, a report today showed. Governments and central banks in the region are cutting their forecasts for growth, while pressure to raise interest rates is mounting.

During a video call with high-level Group of Seven officials, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde questioned US Secretary Scott Bessent’s assertion that the economic pain from the war will be short-lived, we’re told.