US President Donald Trump has backed withdrawing American military bases from Spain and other NATO allies not cooperating on Strait of Hormuz security. He made the remarks at a White House press conference, calling Alliance partners “cowards” for not joining the war against Iran. The stance comes amid Tehran's closure of the strait in a conflict exceeding three weeks.
US President Donald Trump has voiced support for lawmakers like Senator Lindsey Graham to pull American military bases from Spain—such as Morón and Rota—and other NATO countries not aiding Strait of Hormuz security. “Well, it's a justified request; I think he's right to raise it,” Trump told reporters at the White House before heading to Mar-a-Lago in Florida. He accused NATO of losing “a lot of prestige” for inaction in the war against Iran, started on February 28 by the US and Israel, now over 20 days old, with Tehran closing the strait through which a fifth of global oil passes. On Truth Social, Trump posted: “Without the US, NATO is a paper tiger! [...] COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!” The Republican rejected a ceasefire: “I don't want a ceasefire. You don't declare a ceasefire when you're literally devastating the other side.” In contrast, the UK has confirmed allowing the US to use its bases for defensive operations against Iranian missile sites targeting ships in Hormuz. Iran accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of endangering British lives. Trump insisted other nations, like Europe, must patrol the strait, as the US does not rely on it. NATO sources have begun withdrawing personnel from Iraq amid escalation, while Spain completed evacuating its 200 troops from there.
