US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed Washington’s “disappointment” with some NATO countries that have denied the United States access to their military bases in the context of the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Speaking to Fox News, Rubio stressed the importance of cooperation among allies and access to military infrastructure in NATO member states. “If we are denied that, then we lose the main reason why we are in NATO,” he said.
The secretary of state’s remarks come as the United States deals with the consequences of decisions taken by some allies regarding the use of their bases for operations connected to the conflict with Iran.
The issue has brought renewed attention to the relationship between the collective-defense commitments of the Alliance and individual member states’ decisions concerning the use of their military infrastructure.
Rubio’s position highlights the growing discussion between Washington and some allies over how to manage the crisis and the use of military bases located in Europe and other strategic areas.
