At least 4 NATO allies quietly aid US strikes on Iran

A deepening paradox is unfolding across the Atlantic as at least four NATO allies, including the UK, Germany, and Portugal, provide critical support for U.S. military operations against Iran even as their leaders publicly distance themselves from the conflict and call for de-escalation. This quiet cooperation highlights the indispensable role European bases play in projecting American power, a strategic reality that persists despite political friction.

"The Continent’s geography and posture allow the U.S. European Command to support other combatant commands with critical logistics, ready forces, and lethal capabilities," U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s top commander in Europe, said in a March statement to the Senate, adding that the “vast majority” of European allies had been “extremely supportive.”

The support is extensive and operationally vital. The United Kingdom authorized the use of its bases for U.S. strikes on Iranian missile sites. Portugal has allowed the U.S. to use Lajes Air Base, while Germany’s Ramstein Air Base—a crucial hub for logistics and drone operations—remains available. Even Italy and France have permitted access and overflights for non-offensive missions. The notable exception is Spain, which has denied access to its bases and airspace for Iran-related military flights.

This operational support is the machinery that makes American military power effective, making operations faster, less costly, and lower risk. Without access to bases like Souda Bay in Crete, where the USS Gerald R. Ford resupplied, the U.S. ability to sustain a presence in the Middle East would be severely hampered. The direct involvement, however, increases the risk of a wider regional war, which threatens to shock global oil prices by disrupting the 21% of global supply that passes through the Strait of Hormuz, fueling a flight to safe-haven assets like gold and the U.S. dollar.

The current situation mirrors previous transatlantic tensions, notably during the later stages of the Iraq war. In 2003, French President Jacques Chirac famously rebuked Central and Eastern European countries for supporting Washington, telling them they had “missed a great opportunity to shut up.” Then, as now, Washington sought both political backing and operational capabilities. Today, it appears to be receiving the latter while the former is visibly absent.

This gap between public political posture and private operational reality underscores a strategic dependency. Europe hosts approximately 80,000 U.S. troops across some 40 bases that are fundamental to American power projection. While European leaders may not want political ownership of another conflict in the Middle East, their nations remain a core part of the infrastructure that makes such operations possible. As NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visits Washington, the core message is that Europe is not merely a consumer of U.S. security but an essential component of its global reach.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.