EU urged to strengthen defence as US wavers on NATO

European countries are exploring alternative security arrangements as confidence in the United States’ commitment to NATO comes under strain, Spain’s foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, has said.

Tensions have risen after European states declined to deploy naval forces to help secure the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of the US–Israeli war with Iran. In response, president Donald Trump said he was considering withdrawing from the Alliance.

Albares said the decision ultimately rested with Washington, but recalled that NATO allies stood by the United States after the attacks of September 11, 2001. He described the Alliance as a mutually beneficial arrangement, while warning that the current stance of the US administration was pushing Europe towards greater strategic autonomy.

He argued that Europe must assume more responsibility for its own defence, including through deeper cooperation, the development of a common army and closer integration of the defence industry.

Spain has been among the critics of the war with Iran. The government has closed its airspace to US aircraft involved in the strikes and barred their use of joint military bases.

(reuters, bak)