Rubio to tell NATO ministers Trump 'very disappointed' over Iran war stance

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet NATO allies on Friday for the first time since President Donald Trump called the alliance into question due to divisions over the Iran war and Washington announced plans to pull 5,000 troops from Europe.



Before leaving for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Sweden, Rubio said Trump was "very disappointed" in alliance members who had not allowed the U.S. to use bases on their territory for the war, singling out Spain in particular.



"You have countries like Spain denying us the use of these bases - well then why are you in NATO? That's a very fair question," Rubio told reporters in Miami. "In fairness, other countries in NATO have been very helpful. But we need to discuss that."



Trump has fiercely criticised NATO members for not doing more to help the U.S.-Israeli military campaign. He has said he is considering withdrawing from the alliance and questioned whether Washington was bound to honour its mutual defence pact.