Several key European nations are now placing restrictions on U.S. military activities as the Trump administration continues its efforts against Iran. Notably, France and Spain have taken steps to limit U.S.-related aircraft access to their airspace and bases.
In a significant move, France has denied overflight rights to planes transporting U.S. military supplies to Israel, a decision shared by President Donald Trump. This action represents an unusual interruption in the typically seamless military coordination between the U.S. and its European allies.
The restrictions imposed by these European countries carry a significant operational impact. U.S. military bases located in Europe are crucial for supporting missions in the Middle East, serving as vital staging areas and transit points for military aircraft.
This development highlights the increasing tensions between the United States and its European allies, as President Trump intensifies demands for NATO partners to back operations related to the conflict with Iran.
The image captures President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shaking hands for a photograph. (Photo credit: Suzanne Plunkett/Pool/Reuters)
A Reuters report on Tuesday revealed that Italy refused permission for U.S. military aircraft to land at the Sigonella Air Base in Sicily en route to the Middle East, citing the absence of a prior request for authorization from Washington.
An Italian government statement pushed back on reports of a rupture, saying: “With reference to media reports regarding the use of military bases, the government reiterates that Italy acts in full compliance with existing international agreements and with the policy guidelines set out by the government to parliament.”
“Relations with the United States, in particular, are solid and based on full and loyal cooperation,” the statement added.
A senior U.S. official reinforced Italy’s claim, telling Fox News Digital, “This is false. Italy is currently supportive in providing access, basing and overflight for U.S. forces.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. (Darko Bandic/The Associated Press )
Spain on Monday said it had closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in strikes, going further than its earlier refusal to allow the use of jointly operated bases. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been among the most vocal critics of the U.S. and Israeli campaign.
In remarks before parliament Tuesday, Spain’s defense minister said the government had “prohibited the use of the bases of Rota and Morón” and did not grant flight authorizations “to support operations in Iran.”
The minister stressed the decision was limited specifically to operations linked to Iran and did not signal a broader break with NATO or the United States.
John Hemmings, director of the National Security Centre at the Henry Jackson Society, a London-based foreign policy think tank, told Fox News Digital the decision reflects deeper tensions.
“If one looks at Spain’s refusal to allow U.S. overflight over its airspace or U.S. bases,” Hemmings said, “one could argue it’s a U.S.-Spanish issue. The prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, a socialist, has no love lost for the MAGA movement. But Italy’s refusal comes after Poland’s refusal to allow a U.S. Patriot anti-missile battery to be redeployed and looks like the U.S. wheels are wobbling — if not coming off.”
Trump on Tuesday escalated his criticism of allies in a series of posts on Truth Social, singling out France and the United Kingdom, although the United Kingdom has continued to allow U.S. aircraft to operate from its territory, including bomber and refueling missions tied to Middle East operations.
“France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the ‘Butcher of Iran,’ who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!!,” President Donald Trump wrote on social media. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
“The Country of France wouldn’t let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory,” Trump wrote.
“France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the ‘Butcher of Iran,’ who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!!,” he added.
A source in the French presidency, the Élysée Palace, told Fox News Digital, “We are surprised by this tweet. France has not changed its position since the first day, and we confirm this decision, which is consistent with the French position since the beginning of the conflict.”
The Israeli Ministry of Defense said Tuesday it is moving to reduce defense procurement from France to zero, replacing it with domestic production or purchases from other allied countries. The ministry also said it has suspended plans for further professional engagement with the French military, including canceling meetings with France’s defense leadership.
In another post on Tuesday, Trump criticized the U.K. while urging allies to take action in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route disrupted during the conflict.
“All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you,” Trump wrote.
“Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.”
“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) and his wife Victoria Starmer at Trump Turnberry golf club on July 28, 2025, in Turnberry, Scotland. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
War Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that message during a press briefing Tuesday.
“There are countries around the world who ought to be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well,” he said. “It’s not just the United States Navy. Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well.”
NATO acknowledged the growing strain, pointing to remarks by Secretary-General Mark Rutte from a March 26 press conference.
“What I’ve been seeing is some frustration with him (Trump), about the Europeans needing to take time to react to his request, when it comes to this question of making sure that sea lanes are open,” Rutte said.
“There is a reason for that … the U.S. was not able to consult with allies because they wanted to keep the campaign secret,” he said. “But that also had the disadvantage that it takes time for the Europeans to get organized.”
Rutte added that more than 30 countries have since joined discussions on securing maritime routes, “exactly also to the request of President Trump.”
Hemmings warned the fallout could have broader strategic consequences.
“There is something deeper here, though, and that is that there is a growing transatlantic rift between right-leaning populists and left-leaning populists,” he said. “The fact is that the U.S. and many Western European countries are not only split over NATO spending and trade; they are split ideologically.”
NATO leaders pose in this shot taken in June. (Claudia Greco/Reuters)
“This should worry planners at the Pentagon and at NATO headquarters in Brussels,” he said. “Despite recent changes in U.S. force structure in Europe, changes have been incremental and carefully broadcast. The U.S. and Europe still need each other badly for defense-industrial cooperation, for helping bring Ukraine to victory, and for deterring their mutual adversaries.”
Fox News Digital also reached out to Italy and the Pentagon but did not receive responses in time for publication.
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