European countries restricting US access to military bases during the Iran war have exposed a deepening rift within Nato and fuelled fears that Donald Trump could use it as a pretext to scale back Washington’s commitment to Europe’s defence.
The US president’s anger at France and Spain was a central focus of a meeting with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte in Washington on Wednesday, according to alliance officials. Italy and the UK have also refused access to their bases, a decision London has since reversed.
While Trump’s previous attacks on Nato prompted a united response from European allies, the Iran war had divided them, four Nato diplomats told the FT. They said European capitals were at odds over decisions that undermined efforts to convince the US to keep its troops stationed on the continent.