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. 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 said. “They are US military bases ... for the US military to use,” the diplomat said, even though some facilities are jointly operated or under national control. European Union leaders saying this was “not our war” was perceived as snubbing Trump, said a third European diplomat.

Source: The Irish Times April 10, 2026 19:44 UTC