US may reassess Nato ties after Iran war ends, Rubio says

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stark warning that America may fundamentally reassess its commitment to NATO once the ongoing war with Iran concludes. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Rubio labeled the military alliance's alleged lack of support during the Middle East conflict as 'very disappointing,' specifically citing member nations' refusal to grant the US access to military bases. This public critique aligns with and amplifies prior criticism from President Donald Trump, who has called NATO partners 'cowards' and described the 75-year-old alliance as a 'paper tiger.' Rubio framed the issue as one of mutual benefit, stating, 'If NATO is just about us defending Europe if they’re attacked, but them denying us basing rights when we need them, that’s not a very good arrangement.'

The immediate geopolitical flashpoint is the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor that Iran has effectively closed since late February following attacks by the US and Israel. The closure has triggered a sharp spike in global oil and gas prices. While NATO's chief has stated that 22 countries are working to reopen the strait, the alliance has largely rebuffed direct US requests for assistance in the mission. Rubio asserted that the waterway 'will be open one way or another,' either through Iranian compliance or by a US-led coalition. His comments signal a potential historic pivot in US foreign policy, suggesting that transactional demands could redefine the post-WWII security architecture, with the Iran conflict serving as a catalyst for a broader reckoning.