The US-Israeli operation against Iran has become a major test for NATO. According to the article, Washington did not consult its allies before the strikes began, and later US President Donald Trump demanded that European countries either provide bases or join efforts to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
That approach caused irritation in Europe. On March 24, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said there could be no return to the old transatlantic relationship. Finnish President Alexander Stubb likewise said the US had stopped acting as a “benevolent hegemon” that consults partners in advance.
As Forbes calculated, only six NATO states publicly backed the White House line: the Czech Republic, Albania, North Macedonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Canada. After hesitation, the United Kingdom allowed its bases to be used only for defensive purposes, while Spain barred the use of the joint bases at Rota and Moron de la Frontera for strikes on Iran.
“This war has nothing to do with NATO. This is not NATO’s war,” Chancellor’s spokesman Stefan Kornelius said, expressing what the article describes as the view of most alliance members.
Trump, meanwhile, is pressing NATO allies to send warships to the strait, through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that since March 19, 22 countries, including most NATO members and several partners, have been discussing measures to guarantee safe passage.
Hopes for de-escalation remain limited. On March 23, Trump said there had been “productive” contacts with Iran and postponed strikes on energy infrastructure for five days, but Tehran immediately denied that any talks had taken place. In the author’s view, US allies are still trying to avoid being drawn into the conflict while also preventing a final break with Washington.