By Our Correspondent
National News – The United States may reconsider its relationship with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after the ongoing conflict involving Iran ends, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio made the remarks during an interview on Fox News on Tuesday, saying Washington would need to reassess the alliance’s value to American national interests once the war situation stabilises.
Speaking to Fox News host Sean Hannity, Rubio explained that although he has historically supported NATO, current developments have raised concerns about whether the military alliance continues to serve the strategic needs of the United States.
The secretary of state said the final decision on the future of the alliance would ultimately rest with US President Donald Trump.
Rubio noted that NATO has long provided strategic advantages to the US, particularly by allowing American forces access to military bases across Europe.
These installations, he said, enable the US military to project power quickly to other parts of the world and respond to international crises.
However, the secretary of state warned that the alliance could lose its relevance if member states restrict US access to those bases during critical military operations.
According to him, if NATO partners refuse to allow the United States to use their facilities when needed to defend its interests, the arrangement risks becoming a “one-way street.”
The issue emerged during the ongoing conflict involving Iran, where several European allies have reportedly limited cooperation with US military operations.
Rubio clarified that Washington was not asking NATO members to directly participate in airstrikes or combat missions, but was expecting access to bases and logistical support.
Recent developments have highlighted the tension.
Reports indicate that Italy refused permission for a US aircraft heading to the Middle East on a combat mission to land, while Spain reportedly closed its airspace to American military flights linked to the campaign.
Rubio said these restrictions have prompted US policymakers to reconsider the strategic value of NATO and evaluate whether the alliance still benefits American security interests.
The remarks signal growing debate within Washington over the future role of NATO as geopolitical tensions and global conflicts reshape long-standing alliances.
