US may reassess Nato ties after Iran war ends, Rubio says

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US may need to reassess its relationship with Nato after the Iran war is finished, calling the military alliance’s alleged lack of support during the Middle East conflict “very disappointing”.

Rubio assailed Nato members for denying access to military bases, following prior criticism from US President Donald Trump that partners in the security bloc are “cowards” and that the alliance is a “paper tiger”.

“The president and our country will have to re-examine all of this after this operation is over,” Rubio said in an interview with Al Jazeera.

“If Nato is just about us defending Europe if they’re attacked, but them denying us basing rights when we need them, that’s not a very good arrangement. That’s a hard one to stay engaged in.”

Members of Nato have largely rebuffed Trump’s requests to help reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively closed with threats of retaliation after being attacked by the US and Israel. The critical passageway for energy supplies has been effectively shut since late February, leading oil and gas prices to soar.

“When this operation is over, it will be open and it’ll be open one way or another,” Rubio said. “It will be open because Iran agrees to abide by international law and not block the commercial waterway, or a coalition of nations from around the world – and the region – with the participation of the United States, will make sure that it’s open,” he added.