Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned the value of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after several member countries declined to let the United States use military bases on their territory during the war in Iran. Speaking after a meeting with alliance foreign ministers in Sweden, Rubio said the refusal undermined one of the core benefits of the alliance, arguing that denied access during a conflict forces Washington to reconsider its strategic commitments.

Tensions have grown since the war in Iran began in late February, with President Donald Trump criticizing allies for failing to provide greater support, particularly in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Some member states have countered that the conflict was launched without their consultation and does not obligate their involvement. Trump has long expressed skepticism about the alliance, recently calling it weak.

The administration has also moved to adjust its military presence in Europe, even as it announced 5,000 additional troops would be sent to Poland while the same number would be withdrawn from Germany. Rubio said changes to troop levels are part of a broader global reassessment of United States military commitments, but acknowledged that Trump's disappointment will be a central issue at the alliance's July summit in Turkey, which he described as potentially historic.