The United States will reassess its relationship with NATO allies that restrict American access to military bases or airspace in future operations, according to US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker. In an exclusive interview at the Euronews Defence and Space Summit, Whitaker said Washington is still reviewing the deployment and basing of US forces across the alliance's territory, following disagreements with several European governments during the US-Israel conflict with Iran, codenamed “Operation Epic Fury”.
“We're looking at the issues about access, basing, and overflight, some of which were a little clunky during Epic Fury,” Whitaker said. He confirmed that Washington is in talks with the countries that imposed restrictions during the operation, aiming to ensure such friction does not recur. “We're having those conversations with just a few countries that we had issues with to make sure we understand the next time,” he said. “That it doesn't happen again, or if it does, maybe, you know, we need to re-evaluate.”
The review, which Whitaker described as a “force posture and basing review”, is examining where US troops are stationed and the access Washington holds to allied airspace and military infrastructure. He stressed that the process is being guided by the Trump administration's “America First” doctrine. “America First means that we look at it from what's in the interest of the United States of America and its people and its taxpayers,” he said.
Allied restrictions during the Iran operation
The review was announced by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at a NATO defence ministers' meeting in Brussels in June, after several European governments restricted or denied US access to their airspace and military bases for operations linked to Iran. Hegseth criticised those countries, calling their decisions “shameful” and arguing they endangered US troops. President Donald Trump has also voiced displeasure and threatened to reconsider US security support for allies that did not back Washington's position.
Among the allies, Spain took the strongest stance, denying US access to its airspace and bases for Iran-related operations. Italy imposed restrictions, while France allowed aircraft and operational support but refused to permit fighter jets to refuel at its bases. The UK initially agreed to let US forces use Royal Air Force sites for “defensive purposes” before later expanding access to support strikes on Iranian targets.
Whitaker brushed aside reports that the review could lead to the withdrawal of as many as 40,000 US troops from NATO territory. “The plan hasn't even been finalised by the folks at the Secretary of War's policy shop. And so I think any kind of leaks about that are folks that are just trying to confuse,” he said.
NATO's evolving posture
The review comes amid broader discussions about the alliance's future. A leaked questionnaire circulated among NATO members over the summer asked governments to detail their responses to the Iran conflict, including whether they granted access to airspace and bases during the initial phase. The questionnaire also sought members' views on a US-backed shift in NATO's defence posture, referred to as “NATO 3.0”, which would place primary responsibility for Europe's conventional defence on European allies.
This debate reflects a wider strain on European defence capabilities. As Europe struggles to find 100,000 additional troops, the question of burden-sharing has become more acute. Meanwhile, the alliance is also watching Russia's continued military expansion, with Moscow announcing another increase in its army size. The US review, therefore, is not just about punishing allies but about recalibrating a transatlantic relationship under strain.
Whitaker's comments signal that Washington expects its allies to be more cooperative in future operations. For European capitals, the message is clear: the era of automatic US support may be giving way to a more transactional relationship, one where access and basing rights are part of the bargain. As the review continues, European governments will be watching closely to see how the “America First” lens reshapes the alliance's military footprint on the continent.
